Meanwhile, DDMBANJ’s new Dharma center is undergoing a refurbishment for a better venue for practice. In commemorating the Buddha’s Birthday, abbot president Ven. Guo Dong encouraged everyone to follow the Buddha’s teachings and practice accordingly, as we are fortunate enough to encounter the Dharma as taught by the Buddha, who came to this world to show us the way to attain Buddhahood. In the process of our practice, we should take any favorable and unfavorable situation as a fostering condition to help us develop toward spiritual maturity, thereby transforming our afflictions and karma, changing our habitual tendencies due to our ignorance, and creating our spiritual provisions for enlightenment. Finally, as a gift, the abbot president offered a piece of hanging decoration inscribed with “Great Light,” DDM’s blessing for year 2015, to extend his best wishes to all: “Using wisdom to transform circumstances, one’s mind is bright. Using compassion to benefit others, one’s promise is great.”

(Translated by Navi Chen/ Edited by Chiacheng Chang, DDM Cultural Center)