CMC Joined 2023 DDM Great Compassion Water and Land Dharma Service Live Stream for Group Practice of "Liang Emperor's Repentance Ritual"

From November 28^th to December 3^rd (EST), Chan Meditation Center (CMC) in New York connected to the live stream of DDM Great Compassion Water and Land Dharma Service celebrated at the Chan Hall, conducting a six-day group practice of "Liang Emperor's Repentance Ritual" in person. 

During the group practice, the on-site Buddhist followers devoutly and respectfully chanted verses in praise of the Buddha, prostrated, repented, and made vows under the guidance of CMC's resident nun, who served as timekeeper of the ritual. On the morning of December 3^rd, the participants completed the ten-volume Liang Emperor's Repentance, which contains the names of 1,275 Buddhas, and transferred the merit of the group practice to all sentient beings of the Dharma Realm (Dharmadhātu, in Sanskrit). The timekeeper of the ritual used Master Sheng Yen's example of climbing 972 stairs at a moderate pace during a visit to St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City to encourage everyone to immerse themselves in the Buddha's name they are chanting in the present moment. The timekeeper further indicated that, through sincere chanting of the Buddha's name and prostrations, we can obtain the support and protection of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, purify our negative karma created by our body, speech and mind in past lives, as well as deliver the deceased from suffering. 

In addition to reciting the Liang Emperor's Repentance text, CMC connected with Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association New Jersey Center (DDMBANJ) every noontime, for a Dharma talk by the DDM Vice Abbess, Ven. Guo Goang. During the Dharma talk, the Venerable clarified the common misconception of "regarding the deliverance service as useless," and explained from Buddhist point of view the three factors that determine where the deceased will be reborn: the greatest karma being good or bad we have created, our habitual tendencies, and our last thought on our deathbed. In the Discourse to Gāmaṇi, the Buddha employed the metaphor that a heavy stone only sinks in water, in order to emphasize the importance of eradicating harmful deeds and cultivating virtues, which is the direct cause for rebirth into benevolent destinies. The Venerable explained how the Buddha mentioned in the Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra that if a dying person can sincerely recite the Buddha Amitābha's name and vow to be reborn in his Pure Land, they can fulfill their wish with only ten recitations of the Buddha's name. The Venerable indicated that the consciousness of most dying people is dim; therefore, they need end-of-life chanting aid from other fellow Buddhists to helps them raise the correct thoughts, which is the necessary supporting condition for their rebirth in the Pure Land. For this reason, the deliverance of the dead is most certainly effective.

As for repentance, the Venerable pointed out that regretting bad deeds or feeling regret for missing the opportunities to do good deeds are virtuous dharmas. Conversely, regretting benevolent deeds or feeling regret for not committing evil actions constitute evil dharmas. The Venerable explained that repentance means regretting past actions and vowing not to repeat them in the future. If we regret missing the opportunities to do good deeds, we should seize the chance to do them immediately going forward. If we regret past wrongs, we should vow not to repeat them. Therefore, the purpose of repentance is not about dwelling in guilt, but, rather helping us be aware and mindful of our own body, speech, and mind. We thereby direct ourselves to the good path, so that we can reduce mistakes. 

The founder of Dharma Drum Mountain, Master Sheng Yen, once said: "We should reflect on ourselves with a sense of shame, and see the world with gratitude." The timekeeper of the ritual reminded participants that each solemn Dharma service is made possible through the support of many volunteers. Since all phenomena are impermanent, we should appreciate and cherish all the causes and conditions that are present for the Dharma service to take place. After listening to the Dharma talk, the on-site followers practiced reciting the repentance text with a heart of gratitude and a sense of shame, transferring the merit of the recitation to volunteers, their family members, and people worldwide who are experiencing wars and various sufferings. 

After the completion of the Dharma service, the participants shared how they were filled with the joy of Dharma, and obtained many benefits from it. They looked forward to attending the Dharma service at CMC again next year to purify their body and mind, learn to eradicate harmful deeds and cultivate virtues, and develop in blessings and wisdom. Finally, they also wished that people around the world can have peace and prosperity, and all sentient beings can stay away from sufferings and attain happiness. 



Original text in Chinese: Cyu Jhih-yuan(曲致遠)
Photos: Peng Wun-ciao (彭溫巧) & Cyu Jhih-yuan (曲致遠)
Translation: Li Siang-ling
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL