Over One Thousand Lay Practitioners Received Bodhisattva Precepts for the Laity at DDM

On the morning of March 9^th, 2025, the two sessions of the 28^th "Bodhisattva Precepts Transmission Ceremony for Lay Practitioners" were completed at the Grand Buddha Hall at Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) World Center for Buddhist Education. DDM Abbot President Ven. Guo Huei (果暉法師), DDM head monk Ven. Hui Min (惠敏法師), and DDM Vice Abbot Ven. Guo Xing (果醒法師) were invited to transmit the Bodhisattva precepts to 1,171 lay practitioners. Participants vowed to abandon all evil, cultivate all virtue, and benefit all sentient beings on their Bodhisattva path to attain Buddhahood.

Ven. Guo Huei congratulated the vow takers for taking the Bodhisattva precepts, reminding them of the importance of taking and observing the precepts. He also expounded on the teachings of karmic causes, conditions, and effects in order to exhort everyone to constantly correct their physical, verbal, and mental actions. In his Dharma talk, Ven. Guo Huei explained that the basic threefold training of Buddhist teachings is morality, meditation, and wisdom. Among them, "morality" involves cultivating the bodhicitta that wishes to benefit both oneself and others with faith, aspiration, and practice. Practicing Buddhist teachings not only can benefit ourselves, but also helps others to leave samsara and afflictions behind, while the key lies in bodhicitta, original aspiration, and faith. Ven. Guo Huei reminded the vow takers from every aspect to not waver in their awakening of bodhicitta for the sake of anyone, anything, or any external circumstances. Moreover, he suggested everyone learn to use the wisdom of Buddhist teachings in daily life, applying the "Four Steps for Handling a Problem" to tackle difficult situations.

Tsai Bing-yun (蔡秉芸), a precept taker, indicated that she was truly grateful to volunteers and monastic teachers for making the precept transmission possible. Tsai shared that she has learned from the recording of Master Sheng Yen's Dharma talk that observing precepts helps us to keep physical and mental peace, as well as cultivate wisdom and compassion. She was especially touched by the volunteers who dedicated themselves, allowing her to further realize what the practice of Bodhisattvas is.

Another participant Lai Hung-jiun (賴虹君) shared that she came into contact with DDM and Chan practice for the peace of her body and mind. She then grew an interest in learning and practicing Buddhist teachings. When making repentance prostrations at the ceremony, she recalled the family members and sentient beings she has harmed intentionally or not, thereby recognizing the importance of being aware of our every thought and intention. She further realized that "everyone should plant the seed of virtue and live a life in accordance with precepts" because it can bring about positive impacts on ourselves, our environment, and our society as a whole. Lai also aspired to make progressive and firm steps on the Bodhisattva path in order to help herself and others to transcend the suffering of samsara.



Original Chinese text / Fu Li-xian (傅莉嫻)
Photos / Fu Li-xian (傅莉嫻), Wang Yu-fa (王育發)
Video / Fu Li-xian (傅莉嫻)
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, YKL