Along with Buddha on Medicine Buddha’s Birthday
To celebrate the auspicious day of Medicine Buddha’s Birthday, the New York Bodhi Meditation Center held the Medicine Buddha’s Birthday Blessing Ceremony on November 8th at 10 am. In observance of the government’s pandemic prevention regulations, attendance was limited. All wore masks and practiced social distancing, enabling the guests to participate in this special ceremony with peace of mind.
Grandmaster JinBodhi has been propagating the Dharma in accordance with the Twelve Great Vows of the Medicine Buddha for close to 30 years, and has relieved thousands of sentient beings from suffering, bringing them health and happiness.
The Director of the Center, Teacher Guan Shan, opened the ceremony by leading the guests to make an offering of incense with sincerity and respect. The three sticks of incense represent everyone’s respect and gratitude to the Buddhas, love for their family, and their wishes and expectations.
Grandmaster JinBodhi pointed out in this teaching of “Medicine Buddha’s Greater Illumination” that the light of the Buddha illuminates us and guides us so that the sick can have good health, the foolish can gain wisdom, and those in pain can be relieved and achieve happiness.
Through online platforms such as FaceBook and YouTube, Grandmaster has been selflessly sharing his wisdom with all like-minded people worldwide, sowing the seeds of compassion in the world.
Sincere Sharing from the Bottom of the Heart
Sister Lin Sai-E was comforted that her mother passed on peacefully after she had made a light offering. She was grateful for Grandmaster’s compassionate protection which allowed her family of three generations and tenants staying in her house to escape a serious fire. She also received the guidance and auspicious blessings of the Grandmaster.
Sister Rong Xun became anxious because her husband Rong Zun suddenly became ill in 2012 and could not take care of himself. After half a year of meditation practice, he recovered completely. She also happily shared her benefits of joining the Online Classes during the pandemic.
Sister Xu Lifang tearfully shared the pain of losing her beloved daughter in 2018. After coming to Bodhi Meditation to make light offerings for her daughter, the chanting for blessings she did helped to relieve the pain of losing her daughter. The compassionate teachings of the Grandmaster gave her spiritual comfort. The Online Classes during the pandemic helped her to develop more compassion. With love and tolerance, she resolved a 30-year difficult relationship with her mother-in-law. Now their relationship is very close and harmonious. The Online Chanting Classes have also benefited her husband who was in a bad state both physically and mentally after surgery. He feels relaxed and healthy both physically and mentally now.
Bodhi Meditation is not only our spiritual home. In this big family, fellow practitioners encourage, support and take care of each other. Together we receive blessings from Grandmaster.
Turning Life Around Through Belief, Aspiration and Action
Teacher Guan Shan encouraged everyone to use every Ceremony as an opportunity to re-examine ourselves and our comprehension and awareness of the Dharma. When we are struck by the pain of life, we still have to move forward instead of stopping in our path. This is the turning point in our lives, which can also be viewed from the perspective of “Afflictions bring enlightenment.” We can use this to make wise choices and think about our future. As a result, our lives can bloom and become more exciting.
We rely on the Twelve Great Vows of the Medicine Buddha to lead us to deepen our belief in compassion. Coupled with our practical actions and sincere prayers, we will be able to sense the compassion and blessings of the Grandmaster, transform our lives, and in turn fulfill our wishes.
With a sincere heart, we receive the light of the Buddha, and see with clarity our greed, hatred and ignorance, and chant with a single thought of sincerity.
Treating Greed with Generosity
We should try to broaden our heart, and not be calculating about our own gains or losses. We should not be selfish and should learn to give, in order to connect with the energy of the Medicine Buddha and be blessed.
Getting Rid of the Ego and Arrogance
The Grandmaster said that if we are arrogant, we will be unable to receive the blessings of the Buddha. Only by opening our hearts can the light illuminate us, and we can get along with family and friends with a humble heart.
Integrating Bodhi Meditation into Our Lives
We manage our lives with compassion as the direction, showing respect to the Buddha in our daily lives, connecting with the Buddha through love, respect and sincerity, and letting the Buddha protect our life.
Chanting with Respect and Sincerity
Following the guidance of the Grandmaster, the bright blessings of Medicine Buddha illuminated everyone. We were filled with love and respect, and we received the most auspicious blessings.
A Light Before the Buddha Brings Illumination
On behalf of everyone, the teachers lit the candles. Each bright light illuminated the heart of all merit receivers and fulfilled everyone’s wishes.
Compassionate Blessings to Eradicate Suffering
Through digging of apples and potatoes, and smashing of walnuts, Grandmaster JinBodhi helped to resolve the illnesses of the attendees with pure and dignified energy. Everyone accepted Grandmaster’s blessing and protection with gratitude.
Before the completion of the Blessing Ceremony, Teacher Guan Shan also announced good news to everyone. With gratitude to Grandmaster JinBodhi for his compassionate blessings, Bodhi Meditation New York will soon have a new Center! This Center can benefit more destined people in Greater New York to be relieved from suffering and to achieve happiness. Although it is a new Center, it is made possible by the contributions of all Bodhi practitioners (old and new). We will continue to serve and follow Grandmaster’s wishes to benefit more sentient beings in this beautiful new location.
The extraordinary ceremony came to an auspicious completion amongst the beautiful singing of “A Hymn to Buddha” and the joyful atmosphere of everyone benefiting from the blessings. Gratitude to the Medicine Buddha and Grandmaster for their compassion!
The intent of the testimonial is to offer wellness information of a general nature. Individual results of practice may vary.