Under the melodious chanting of the monks, the congregation recited together the "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Sutra".
Devotees devoutly worshiped the Buddha and prayed for protection from disasters.
(Reporter Cheng Guoer/Los Angeles report) February 19th of the lunar calendar is the birthday of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, an important festival in the Buddhist community. Yesterday morning, the Holy Relics Temple in Southern California celebrated the "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Birthday Ceremony".
The ceremony was held at 10 am on Friday, March 10th in the Main Hall. It was jointly organized by the World Buddhist Headquarters, the Holy Relics Temple, the Huazang Temple, and the Shengge Lecture Hall. Venerable Ruohui, the abbot of Huazang Temple, presided over the ceremony, and Venerable Juehui, the abbot of Shengge Lecture Hall, and other virtuous and eminent monks led the congregation in reciting the "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Sutra". The ceremony praised the Buddha and shared merits through offering and worship, and Buddhists from different regions participated in the event.
In Buddhism and folk beliefs, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is one of the most well-known figures. The name Avalokitesvara means "observing and listening to the sounds of the world and awakening sentient beings". Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva listens to the suffering of sentient beings and bestows compassion and assistance. His true stories and deeds are widely spread in both Buddhism and folk traditions.
During the ceremony, the devotees devoutly worshiped the Buddha and participated in chanting and recitation activities, seeking the blessings and protection of the Bodhisattva. A list for praying for the elimination of disasters and blessings was also set up, where devotees could write down their own names and the names of their family members, praying for the blessings and wisdom of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, as well as happiness and auspiciousness.
The Holy Relics Temple is directly affiliated with the World Buddhist Headquarters and is a Buddhist temple that showcases many tangible Buddhist relics. The Third Dharma King of the World Buddhism, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha, has presided over many grand Dharma assemblies with tangible manifestations in the Main Hall of the Holy Relics Temple. Venerable Miaokong, a monastic at the Holy Relics Temple, introduced that besides the Main Hall, the temple also has a Lamp Lighting Ancient Buddha Hall and an Avalokitesvara Temple. All virtuous believers are welcome to come and worship the Buddha and receive the benefits of the Dharma.