CMC in New York Joined Liang Emperor's Repentance via Live Stream during the Great Compassion Water and Land Dharma Service

From November 23^rd to 30^th, 2024, Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) held the Great Compassion Water and Land Dharma Service at DDM World Center for Buddhist Education in Taiwan. During this period, Chan Meditation Center (CMC) in New York had broadcasted the live-streamed ritual of the Liang Emperor's Repentance held at Grand Hall of the Dharma Service, so that the practitioners in New York could participate in the group practice. The Dharma service was completed on December 1^st, with a total of 250 people participating in person. DDM Vice Abbess Ven. Guo Goang (果廣法師) rejoiced at the virtuous karmic roots of all the participants, as it was not always easy to set aside some time to visit the Dharma center to participate in the ritual of the Liang Emperor's Repentance. In addition to praising everyone's diligence, Ven. Guo Goang encouraged everyone to be persistent with their practice and not to practice in fits and starts this time by stopping their practice altogether for a half year after the repentance ritual. Her humorous remarks made everyone have a good laugh. In addition to frequent visits to the Dharma center for joining Dharma services and lectures, Ven. Guo Goang suggested that everyone incorporate regular practice into their daily routine. In this way, one can let their mind abide calmly on the method of spiritual cultivation, thereby keeping their mind in a peaceful and pure state, which can be attained by true persistence.

During the Dharma service, Ven. Chang Hwa (常華法師), the Director of CMC, kept reminding everyone not to be distracted and to rein in their body and mind. As she pointed out, even though the group practice was conducted through live stream video, it was still necessary to concentrate and to be fully engaged in the practice. Using the Buddhist tale of a blind turtle approaching a piece of driftwood, Ven. Chang Hwa stressed the invaluable opportunity to be born as a human being. Therefore, we should make good use of our own physical body to repent on behalf of all sentient beings in the six states of existence. If we can repent with utmost sincerity, we will be able to help all sentient beings who share karmic bounds with us to leave suffering behind and attain happiness.

In addition to the repentance ritual, the participants also performed offering rituals including Grand Offering before the Buddha. Ven. Chang Hwa also recounted the merits of making offerings: those who make flower offerings can attain a dignified look, and anyone sees them will feel joyful; those who make food and fruit offerings can attain good health, blessings and longevity. Ven. Chang Hwa encouraged everyone to make offerings and establish amicable karmic affinities in their daily lives. After the repentance ritual, Ven. Chang Hwa led the participants to make a grand merit transfer for world peace, as well as peace, happiness, health, and joy for all sentient beings.

It is worth mentioning that each dish served during the Dharma service was meticulously prepared by a volunteer team whose average age is over 70 years old. They prepared the food with great care which can be seen through the presentation, color scheme, and cooking method of the cuisine. In view of the cold weather and the fact that making repentance prostration would make people hungry, Ven. Chang Yih (常懿法師), who was in charge of the kitchen, prepared a nutritious and hearty vegetarian lunch every day for the participants. Judy Shiu, a senior devotee, said that CMC is like a home for everyone. Every time she comes back to the Center, she feels as heartwarming and joyful as coming home.


Photos and original Chinese text / Chan Meditation Center
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, YKL