DDM Global News
DDM San Francisco Bay Area Center Held a Bilingual Refuge Ceremony
On July 21st, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) San Francisco Bay Area Center held a bilingual "Praying for Blessings and Refuge Taking Ceremony." The Abbot President of DDM, Ven. Guo Huei (果暉法師), was invited to transmit the Three Refuges and Five Precepts to 33 people. Nearly 40 friends and family members of the refuge takers came along to extend their kind wishes.The ceremony began with Ven. Chang Xiang (常襄法師), the Director of San Francisco Bay Area Center, guiding the new refuge takers to learn basic Buddhist etiquettes. The video introduction to Buddhist etiquettes was originally in Mandarin. However, the San Francisco Bay Area Center put English subtitles on it, which made the six English speakers who participated in the ceremony realize DDM's thoughtfulness in planning the event.
When imparting the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, the Abbot President elaborated on each sentence of the refuge vows. In addition, he also cited many examples related to the environment, society, individuals, and life to help the new refuge takers understand the origin of precepts, as well as the significance and benefits of upholding them. After the completion of the refuge ceremony, Ven. Guo Huei encouraged everyone to visit DDM's Dharma centers regularly and to remind one another to immerse our own physical, verbal, and mental actions in Buddhadharma.When the new refuge takers received their certificates of refuge, they were deeply moved by the fact that they have a Dharma name from now on. They then asked how the Dharma name was chosen and what it meant. After the ceremony, refuge takers inquired about the upcoming meditation activities and Dharma assemblies in San Francisco Bay Area Center, as well as how to participate. They also expressed their willingness to invite their family members and friends to join these activities in the future.
DDM San Francisco Bay Area Center expressed their gratitude to the Abbot President and the accompanying Venerables for their warm gestures and loving care. The Center also thanked the volunteers for their preparations and service as well as the hearty, healthy, and delicious meal they arranged, which made everyone at the ceremony feel at home.Original Chinese text / Lu Jingyi (盧靜儀)
Photos / Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Bay Area Center
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, YKL