▲ File photo of Master Longhui, Chairman of the International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association (center), delivering a speech at the Huazang Temple in San Francisco.
By Wang Jingjing
On August 26, the International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association held the first "Great Compassion Thousand-Handed Guanyin Altar Ceremony" in the United States, conducted according to the authentic Buddhist rituals, at the Huazang Temple in San Francisco. After the ceremony, the sun was shining brightly around the Huazang Temple, and white snow-like nectar fell continuously for four days. Regarding the appearance of this sacred phenomenon, Master Longhui, the Chairman of the International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association, said that it was because the Great Compassion Thousand-Handed Guanyin Altar Ceremony represents the true Dharma, and the power of the Dharma has been generated. With the blessings of Guanyin Bodhisattva, auspicious signs have appeared in the United States. The Thousand-Handed Guanyin ceremony on the 26th indeed had extraordinary responses. After the ceremony, the United States, under the protection of Guanyin Bodhisattva, was originally expected to suffer from extreme disasters, similar to the severe damage caused by Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans seven years ago. However, Hurricane Isaac, which was supposed to have super destructive power, weakened significantly to a tropical depression with a speed of only 12 miles per hour. The most severe drought in the central and western United States in 56 years was also alleviated.
Guanyin Bodhisattva manifests in various forms, such as Green Tara, Virgin Mary, and Mazu, among which the Thousand-Handed Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva possesses the greatest divine power and can transform the sea of suffering into nectar for sentient beings.
Master Longhui explained that Guanyin Bodhisattva is the king of great compassion in the universe, rescuing and benefiting sentient beings with compassion and extraordinary responses. The Great Compassion Thousand-Handed Guanyin Altar Ceremony is organized by the International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association under the guidance of the third incarnation of the Dharma King Dorje Chang. The origin of the ceremony was announced by the International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association as early as August 4 in English newspapers such as the Chronicle and Chinese newspapers such as the World Journal and Sing Tao Daily. It explained that due to the historic drought and tornadoes that the United States has been facing, which would cause significant loss of life and property, the purpose of the ceremony is to pray for the blessings and protection of the Buddha's power to eliminate disasters and bring blessings to the United States. The nectar that descended is the response and blessing from the ceremony's prayers. Many people were curious about the miraculous white nectar floating in the air. Master Longhui said that nectar is a sacred object in the Buddha's realm, a sacred object sent by the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, which appears out of nothingness and is completely different from rainwater. It floats in the air like snowflakes and should not be described as rainwater after a long drought. Calling it "rainwater" is a defilement of the Buddha's teachings. The water that the general monks or Rinpoche use to perform blessings or empowerments with mantras can only be called "holy water" and cannot be called "nectar." To have nectar descend, it must be requested through the practice and prayers of great holy beings who can communicate with the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, and it must be done in a proper temple according to the authentic rituals of the Dharma. Only then can such auspicious nectar descend. Nectar is fragrant, and it dripped onto her eyes from the nectar that descended from the sky after the ceremony, giving her a very refreshing feeling.
She further explained that if nectar, which is descended into the ritual vessel by great holy beings who have the same level as the Buddha, has life and will pulsate. She herself has personally experienced and witnessed it, and has received the blessings of nectar. Any illness will disappear by consuming this kind of nectar. The nectar that appeared miraculously during the grand ceremony, under the scorching sun, descending from the sky, is not something that can be done by human power, nor is it a man-made auspicious phenomenon. When the Huazang Temple held the welcoming ceremony for the third incarnation of Dharma King Dorje Chang, nectar descended in a straight line from the gaps between the branches of the kapok tree planted in the temple. After several Guanyin ceremonies and Ksitigarbha ceremonies at the Huazang Temple, nectar also descended onto the kapok tree in the temple. The nectar that descended during the Thousand-Handed Guanyin Altar Ceremony this time covered a wider area and enveloped the Huazang Temple. The white nectar this time did not descend in a straight line but floated in the air, and then fell onto people's bodies, hands, or eyes, disappearing as soon as it touched the ground.
Did Guanyin Bodhisattva's descent of nectar have an effect on the actual natural disasters?
Looking back at the news reports on August 13, the United States was facing the most severe drought in 56 years. According to data from the U.S. Drought Mitigation Center, two-thirds of the country's territory has experienced moderate to severe drought, reaching the highest level in history. A total of 1,496 counties in 33 states were affected. Hurricane Isaac, which was predicted to hit the Gulf of Mexico in August, was expected to have the same destructive power as Hurricane Katrina seven years ago. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times on September 4, 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused the most severe flooding in U.S. history, with over 10,000 deaths in Louisiana and economic losses exceeding $160 billion. Hurricane Isaac has already caused great casualties in the Caribbean Sea, and the upgraded Hurricane Isaac was expected to be as powerful as Hurricane Katrina seven years ago, causing many people to be on high alert, fearing a repeat of the disaster seven years ago. This scientific prediction alarmed President Obama, who declared a state of emergency for four states, including Louisiana, along the Gulf of Mexico.
On August 28, President Obama announced in a televised address from the White House that "Isaac is predicted to be upgraded to a hurricane later today and is expected to make landfall." He has ordered federal and local governments to take various actions to strengthen disaster preparedness. He said, "We are dealing with a big storm that could result in significant flooding and other damage over a wide area. This is not the time to tempt fate. This is not the time to ignore warnings. This is the time for us to make sure that we are paying attention and following instructions." He encouraged all residents of the Gulf Coast region to listen to local officials and follow their instructions, including if they are asked to evacuate. It can be seen that the situation was extremely tense at that time. On the 28th, Isaac made landfall in the Gulf of Mexico.
On the following day, the last day when nectar descended after the Thousand-Handed Guanyin Altar Ceremony at the Huazang Temple in San Francisco, according to news reports, the originally predicted huge destructive power of the hurricane and the worsening drought did not occur. Instead, the situation changed for the better. Hurricane Isaac, which was supposed to be a strong hurricane, significantly weakened on the afternoon of the 29th and changed into a tropical depression, bypassing the area of the Gulf of Mexico where oil fields are located. This day happened to be the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. At that time, the city of New Orleans in Louisiana, which had suffered severe flooding, was only brushed by Isaac and did not experience major disasters. Although there were localized minor flooding and general conditions, there were no reports of casualties.
The power of Hurricane Isaac weakened, and its speed gradually decreased to a tropical depression with a speed of only 12 miles per hour. A major disaster that was supposed to happen in the United States was narrowly avoided. Not only that, but the drought in the United States was also alleviated. On September 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a drought observation report, stating that the lingering rain from Hurricane Isaac provided much-needed moisture to the Midwest and other states that had previously been in drought, bringing two to six inches of rainfall to Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. The drought observation report stated that the drought level in 62.89% of the country's territory improved compared to the previous week (before August 30). In addition, according to related news reports, the tension in the cost of living caused by rising food prices due to the drought and rising oil prices due to the expected hurricane was also relieved.
On September 8, two tornadoes suddenly struck New York City, a densely populated area, with wind speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, but there were no casualties.
The Buddhist organization Buddha's Voice Broadcasting Alliance said that this is truly the protection of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, allowing the residents of the United States to overcome dangers and safely pass through various natural disasters. The extraordinary deeds of Guanyin Bodhisattva's compassionate response and rescue of suffering beings are countless. The Thousand-Handed Guanyin Altar Ceremony, which was practiced for the first time in the United States according to the authentic Buddhist rituals in a temple of the true Dharma, has been proven by the actual responses and blessings from Guanyin Bodhisattva. It has eliminated the imminent major disaster in the United States. The people of the United States are truly blessed. The third incarnation of Dharma King Dorje Chang, who is the true incarnation of the Buddha, resides in the United States and organized the international Buddhist organization, the International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association, to hold the ceremony to pray for the protection of Guanyin Bodhisattva's manifestation as the Thousand-Handed Guanyin to bless the United States. Guanyin Bodhisattva descended nectar to bring great auspiciousness to the United States. Indeed, the predicted hurricane weakened, and the southern states of the United States avoided an impending major disaster, while the drought-stricken areas experienced relief due to the abundant rainfall brought by the tropical storm. This is not a coincidence or a mere chance. Where the Buddha resides, there will always be more blessings from the Dharma protectors and the Eight Great Dragon Kings. The occurrence of natural disasters is indeed influenced by physical factors, but overall, it is also the result of collective karma. With the blessings of the Buddha's power, the hearts of good people can more easily transform their karma, and heavy offenses can be met with light retribution. Thus, major disasters can be reduced to minor ones or even eliminated. The development of the facts has proven this truth. In fact, the Buddha and Bodhisattvas have compassion for sentient beings and do not need to be prayed to in order to bestow blessings upon those with karmic connections. They actively resolve disasters for sentient beings when they see their suffering. It's just that the world is unaware of this. The descent of nectar during the Thousand-Handed Guanyin Altar Ceremony is a manifestation of the blessings and auspiciousness bestowed by Guanyin Bodhisattva. The fact that people see the elimination of disasters is just one of the thousands of cases in which the Buddha and Bodhisattvas silently bless sentient beings. It is actually the norm and not surprising.