News Gallery
To commemorate the 58th anniversary of Fo Guang Shan's establishment, Hsi Lai Temple held a global simultaneous sutra transcription at the Main Shrine and Conference Room on the afternoon of May 12. Ven. Hui Dong, the abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, led around 400 participants in person and over 200 participants at home in this practice.
In a video address, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, explained the significance of sutra transcription: "Every character written is like an imprint on the heart. The more imprints there are, the more the meaning of the sutra resides in the heart. The mind is the Buddha."
Following the sutra transcription procedure, everyone reverently recited the sacred name "Namo Sakyamuni Buddha" three times, read the Heart Sutra, and, with proper sitting posture and mindset, earnestly transcribed the sutra along with Venerable Master Hsing Yun in the video.
After respectfully reading the "Prayer for Those Who Transcribe Sutras" by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Fo Guang Shan Monastery Head Abbot, Most Venerable Hsin Bau, explained the practice of transcribing the Heart Sutra in a video. He encouraged everyone to understand the meaning of the sutra, not to be attached to "emptiness" or "existence," to learn the "Middle Way," find the wisdom of Prajna emptiness, and achieve Buddhahood.
Ven. Hui Dong said that when missing Venerable Master Hsing Yun, one can chant songs from Sounds of the Human World, which is the best way to remember him. When troubled, sutra transcription can purify the mind, increase wisdom, and dedicate the merits for the peace, good fortune, and freedom of all Fo Guang members.
The Irvine Subchapter of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Los Angeles Chapter sang "Willingly" and "Song of Fo Guang Shan," all songs written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Fo Guang members expressed their gratitude to Venerable Master for founding Fo Guang Shan and BLIA, expressing their endless remembrance through songs.
Ju Chen, the Treasurer of BLIA World Headquarters, participated in the in-person sutra transcription for the third time. He expressed his gratitude to Venerable Master Hsing Yun for his efforts in establishing Fo Guang Shan and BLIA, providing a guiding light for everyone to follow. During the transcription, he reflected on everything Venerable Master had done, feeling that it was Venerable Master’s guidance that led him onto the right path. He focused intently during the transcription, understanding the sutra’s meaning, calming his mind, and finding peace and joy.
Haiyan Lin from the Walnut Subchapter of BLIA Los Angeles Chapter brought her two daughters to the sutra transcription. Her 10-year-old daughter, Grace Zhang, had participated in online sutra transcription during the pandemic, and this was her first time attending in person after the Triple Gem and Five Precepts ceremony, wearing the precept robe. Eight-year-old scout Melody Lin joined her first sutra transcription with the Fo Guang Hsi Lai Scouts Troop 8888, planting the seed of Bodhi.
Camille Cheng, Vice President of the BLIA Los Angeles Young Adult Division 1, stated that although she has been at Hsi Lai Temple for about 10 years, this was her first time participating in sutra transcription with the monastic community on the anniversary of Fo Guang Shan’s founding. She felt it was a very special experience and recommended that everyone should participate at least once in their Buddhist journey.
Other attendees included BLIA Los Angeles Chapter Chief Elder Supervisor Linfeng Zhao, Elder Supervisors Xiulian Xu and Lunjie Chen, Vice Presidents Echo Tsai and Connie Yip, Lay Dharma Teacher Quanchun Qiu, and Huiyun Xu, as well as many leaders and members, young adults, Hsi Lai Scouts, Hsi Lai Girl Scouts, Buddha’s Light Hsi Lai School, and TAG School students and parents.
(Photos by Chihcheng Chang)
