[美新社洛杉磯訊] On June 30th and July 1st, a grand Buddhist Dharma Assembly was held at the City Hall of Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA, jointly organized by the World Buddhist Headquarters, Shengji Temple, Huazang Temple, Charity Temple, and Shengge Lecture Hall.
On June 30th, during the solemn ceremony of the "Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha Sutra Collection" at the World Buddhist Headquarters, the World Buddhist Headquarters announced the good news of the publication of the first volume "Speaking on the Journey" and the second volume "Speaking on the Needs of Buddhist Disciples During Travel" and the third volume "Speaking the True Meaning through the Heart Sutra" of the "Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha Sutra Collection". The publication of the "Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha Sutra Collection" has pointed out a shortcut path for all sentient beings in this world to achieve liberation by following the right path!
On July 1st, during the grand ceremony of the Buddha's birthday celebration of the Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha, every seat was occupied and the scene was extremely lively. More than a thousand people, including venerables, masters, Rinpoche, Acharya, Dharma teachers, and laypeople from various states in the United States, as well as China, Germany, Japan, Canada, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Peru, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other countries and regions, participated in this grand ceremony.
The Buddha's birthday ceremony began with the sound of bells, drums, bronze cymbals, and suona, as well as the chanting of the Buddhist mantra "Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha" by the congregation. The presiding master ascended the Dharma platform with the assistance of two groups of monastic monks. The congregation paid their respects to the Buddha, chanted the "Incense Offering Song," and sequentially offered incense to the Buddha. The smoke rose from the censer, filling the entire venue with an auspicious and joyful atmosphere.
Next, representatives from Buddhist temples, practice centers, associations, centers, Buddhist learning institutes, and Dharma study groups from around the world formed a "108 Offerings" procession. The procession, divided into two columns, carried various types of ceremonial objects, treasures, and offerings, walking on the red carpet from the center to the venue, and one by one, they ascended the Dharma platform to make offerings to the Buddha. The scene was solemn and grand!
During the Dharma Assembly, the congregation respectfully chanted the "Dajieqiang Buddha's Exposition of the Meaning Sutra" and conducted a grand offering ceremony in front of the Buddha. They paid homage, made offerings, recited scriptures, chanted the Buddha's name, and recited mantras, praying for the eternal presence of the Buddha and the salvation of all suffering sentient beings. Buddhist institutions from around the world also held Buddhist birthday ceremonies and engaged in charitable activities such as releasing animals, protecting life, helping the poor, and supporting education in their respective countries and regions, all in order to benefit the public and give back to society, while celebrating the birthday of the Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha.
The Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha is the only Buddha legally established in the world since the Nirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha. He is the highest leader of world Buddhism. The Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha has left behind the most complete and profound Buddhist scriptures and teachings, which are the most important treasures that all Buddhist disciples must learn and practice in order to achieve liberation. Namo Qiangfo has pointed out a bright path for humanity, leading away from violence and towards charity, success in career, happiness in family, human peace, and social development. People from all over the world, regardless of race or culture, are increasingly actively learning the teachings of the Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha, using Namo Qiangfo as a model to elevate their own moral qualities and benefit the public.
In his speech at the Dharma Assembly, Ven. Shizhengdaojun, Vice Chairman of the World Buddhist Headquarters, said, "I have seen many Buddhist disciples who are more devoutly following the teachings of the Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha. They refrain from doing evil and practice all kinds of goodness, using their own strength to help sentient beings and benefit them. They compassionately rescue and release various living beings, devoutly listen to the Buddha's teachings and recite scriptures, fearlessly protect the Dharma, understand cause and effect, correct their own behavior, truly support and promote the correct Dharma of the Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha and Shakyamuni Buddha, and truly enable more sentient beings to learn and practice the perfect Dharma personally transmitted by the Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha, thereby increasing their blessings and wisdom and establishing corresponding practical merits. As long as everyone remains consistent, courageous, and diligent, there is no need to worry about achieving liberation. The liberation and happiness of sentient beings are the hopes of the Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha and all Buddhas of the ten directions."
After the successful completion of the Dharma Assembly, the high monks from the World Buddhist Headquarters blessed the congregation with holy water, and all the faithful attendees were cleansed of obstacles and filled with joy and the Dharma. Together, they prayed for the auspiciousness of the Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha's birthday and the eternal longevity of the Buddha; for the "Namo Third Generation Dajieqiang Buddha Sutra Collection" to liberate sentient beings and for the Dharma to abide eternally; and for prosperity, abundance, world peace, and the well-being and joy of all sentient beings in all countries around the world.
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