DDM Abbot President Transmitted the Three Refuges and Five Precepts in Sydney

On the afternoon of November 2^nd, 2024, Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) Sydney Chapter held the "2024 Praying for Blessings and Refuge Taking Ceremony," which was officiated by Ven. Guo Huei (果暉法師), the Abbot President of DDM, who came to Australia for the first time to propagate the Dharma and express his loving care. During the ceremony, he transmitted the Three Refuges and Five Precepts to 20 people from various locations, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The event was conducted in both English and Chinese. Under the witness and blessing of nearly a hundred family members and friends, the new refuge takers fulfilled their wish to formally become Buddhist disciples as they vowed to take refuge in the Three Jewels and uphold the Five Precepts.

Before transmitting the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, Ven. Guo Huei first explained that "Taking refuge means recognizing, accepting, and relying on the Three Jewels." Like following the guiding light in the darkness, refuge takers can rely on the power of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha to eliminate negative habitual tendencies and return to their pure inherent Buddha nature. Ven. Guo Huei pointed out that the "Buddha" that we take refuge in is Shakyamuni Buddha. Everyone has Buddha nature, and through the concepts and practice of Buddhist teachings, everyone can attain perfect wisdom. Furthermore, the "Dharma" entails the concepts and methods of Buddhist practice, while the "Sangha" entails the solemn and pure communities that practice Buddhist teachings.

Afterwards, Ven. Guo Huei led the participants word by word to repent, take refuge in the Three Jewels, make vows, and take the precepts. He also elucidated the meaning and benefits of taking the precepts. Amidst the chanting of "Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva" (homage to Avalokiteśvara), Ven. Guo Huei presented each of the refuge takers with the Buddha pendants in person. In addition, he congratulated everyone in English for becoming a disciple of the Three Jewels, encouraging them to start practicing by participating in the events held by DDM Sydney Chapter often and reading Master Sheng Yen's works in both English and Chinese published online. Ven. Guo Huei encouraged everyone to recite the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva in their daily lives for the sake of receiving blessings therefrom. Moreover, Ven. Guo Huei also exhorted everyone to embark on the path of compassion and wisdom after registering as a disciple of the Three Jewels by learning and practicing Buddhist teachings diligently. In the end, amidst the chanting of the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva, Ven. Guo Huei walked around the venue to extend blessings to everyone.

After the refuge taking ceremony, DDM Sydney Chapter held a Praying for Blessings Ceremony in both English and Chinese. The congregation, led by the monastics, sincerely recited the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Heart Sutra, and the verse of Guanyin Bodhisattva. The family members and friends of the new refuge takers also felt joyful and were deeply moved by the blessings that Ven. Guo Huei extended to everyone.

As Ven. Guo Chwan (果傳法師), the Monastic Advisor of DDM Association of Dharma Supporters in Australia, indicated, "Although DDM Sydney Chapter does not have a fixed venue for Buddhist practice, the aspiration and cohesion of the devotees made this event a success." Huang Chu-chi (黃楚琪), the President of DDM Honorary Board of Directors, accompanied Ven. Guo Huei to Sydney in order to express loving care to overseas followers. The volunteers of DDM Sydney Chapter Dharma were grateful to Ven. Guo Huei for leading representatives of monastics and lay practitioners to Sydney to care for the local devotees and cheer them up. This in turn boosted the local devotees' confidence and strength to learn, uphold, and propagate the Dharma.



Photos and original Chinese text / Dharma Drum Mountain Sydney Chapter
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, YKL