On November 12, 2023, Bodhi Meditation New York held a grand Medicine Buddha’s Birthday Blessing Ceremony at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing, attended by over four hundred guests. The teaching of Bodhi Meditation is synonymous with the teaching of the Medicine Buddha. The twelve great vows of the Medicine Buddha are made to fulfill the needs of the world, enabling people to lead healthy, prosperous, and fulfilling lives, and ultimately attain spiritual liberation.
Volunteers worked through the night to set up the spacious venue, adorning it with solemnity and holiness, elegance, and a sea of flowers surrounding the ancient Thangka “The Life of Sakyamuni Buddha,” “Disaster-Averting and Life-Extending Medicine Buddha,” and “Blessings and Wisdom Thousand-Armed Guanyin” from Grandmaster JinBodhi’s collection. This created an atmosphere of reverence and joy at the auspicious Blessing Ceremony. The main stage was especially solemn, featuring a huge Thangka of the Medicine Buddha and the Bodhisattvas of Sunlight and Moonlight, compassionately overlooking the entire venue. Volunteers and attendees alike bathed in the auspicious Buddha light.
As soon as the venue was perfectly setup, volunteers washed up and changed into their attires in preparation of receiving the guests. Under the guidance of the Center Director, they collectively reflected on the great love of Grandmaster JinBodhi, and with confidence and energy, earnestly recited “Grandmaster JinBodhi’s Golden Words” in preparation to serve all the guests in the best physical and mental states.
Volunteers at various reception stations welcomed every guest and fellow practitioners with smiles and warmth, joyfully taking photos with the Medicine Buddha.
The attendees seized the opportunity on the auspicious day of the Medicine Buddha’s Birthday to make light offerings to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, receiving the profound compassionate blessings and protection.
Every guest had the opportunity to personally offer the most beautiful flowers before the Buddha, presenting beauty, goodness, and prosperity as offerings to the Buddha. After the successful conclusion of the Ceremony, the flowers offered to the Buddha were brought home by the attendees, bringing auspiciousness and prosperity back home.
The Center Director led everyone in respectfully offering incense to the Buddha. On this auspicious day, prayers were made to the compassionate Medicine Buddha, seeking the fulfillment of our wishes and the reception of the compassionate wisdom energy of the Buddha. The hope was to change our destinies, distance ourselves from illness and suffering, and attain disaster-free longevity and auspiciousness!
Testimonial Sharing
Two practitioners shared their testimonials, bearing witness to the real and tangible effects of learning at Bodhi Meditation.
Li Xinhuan
I immigrated to New York from the hot climate of Myanmar eight years ago, and I am a mother of four children. I first came to Bodhi Meditation during the Ullambana Festival Blessing Ceremony in August. With a curious mindset, I enrolled in the Energy Bagua Elementary Class.
Able to Sweat and Warmth in Hands and Feet
For over a decade, I never sweated, and my hands and feet were always cold. I felt heavy and uncomfortable all over, even in the scorching temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius (100+ Fahrenheit) in Myanmar. On the third day of the Energy Bagua class, I started sweating, and my heavy body suddenly became incredibly light. My hands and feet also warmed up. Encouraged by this, I enthusiastically joined the Bodhi Meditation Stress Relief Retreat and Bodhi Meditation Health and Happiness Retreat.
Over a Decade of Back Pain Disappeared
I had severe back pain for over ten years. Every morning, I needed to support my back with my hands for about 20 minutes before slowly straightening up. During severe back pain episodes, I had to lie on my tummy even when eating or drinking. I could not lie on my back, I was unable to sit, stand, or even dress myself. I needed assistance from my two children if I needed to go to the bathroom. Unexpectedly, on the fifth afternoon of the Health and Happiness Retreat, after receiving the “Grandmaster JinBodhi’s Powerful Energy Blessing,” the back pain that tormented me for over a decade disappeared!
Cured of Persistent Itchy Ears
On the sixth day, while receiving the powerful blessing of “Drumming and Singing” by Grandmaster JinBodhi, my experience was intense. I vomited and cried, but the next morning, I discovered that the persistent itching in my ears for over ten years had vanished! Previously, my ears would itch almost every afternoon to the point where I wanted to dig out everything from inside, and despite consulting doctors, it remained unresolved. This caused me immense suffering, but now it’s healed!
Over 20 Years of Headaches Gone, Weight Loss of Over 20 Pounds
I also suffered from severe headaches for over 20 years, and the pain was unbearable, requiring painkillers to endure and rest. In the Health and Happiness Retreat, my headaches completely disappeared! I also lost over 20 pounds, and age spots on my hands and face disappeared. My thighs became the same size, making me feel younger and more beautiful!
I sincerely admire the teachings imparted by Grandmaster. Not only are they easy to learn, but the effects are truly remarkable! After enduring years of overall pain, everything disappeared in less than 100 days. I am grateful to Grandmaster for all of this. I earnestly urge everyone to attend classes at the Meditation Center and give themselves a chance to find joy and be relieved from suffering.
Tang Meilian
I am Tang Meilian. About ten years ago, a traffic accident plunged my life into a trough. When I woke up in the hospital, my entire body was wrapped up like a mummy, and the bones in my legs were broken. I spent over a month in the hospital, undergoing four major surgeries, with both legs fitted with steel plates and metal screws. Although I was fortunate to have survived, I felt like a disabled person. I couldn’t stand, and I couldn’t take care of myself in daily life. After spending half a year in a rehabilitation center, I returned home. A year and a half later, I began slowly learning to stand and walk. Over these ten years of recovery, I endured immense physical pain every day, compounded by the itching caused by psoriasis all over my body. I was in pain and itching 24 hours a day, unable to sleep well. The inner despair and suffering made me feel that life was not worth living. Until I encountered Bodhi Meditation, my destiny began to change.
Discarding Walking Stick and Painkillers After Eight Years
In August, I participated in the 7-Day Bodhi Meditation Chanting Retreat. During the class, the pain in my body was significantly relieved, and my inner anxiety and depression were reduced. I saw hope. Next, I joined the September Bodhi Meditation Health and Happiness Retreat. In the first three days of the course, while practicing the Meditation of Greater Illumination, I couldn’t stand for half an hour. By the fifth and sixth days, I felt strength in my legs, and I could stand for two hours. On the sixth day, during the powerful blessing of “Drumming and Singing” by Grandmaster JinBodhi, I felt a unique energy blessing my legs, as if someone was stretching my legs three times on each side. I was sitting in a chair, and I felt like my buttocks were about to move to the edge of the chair. Previously, when I woke up, I needed to pat and massage my legs in bed, and only after my legs were not so stiff am I able to slowly get up and walk to the bathroom with the support of a walking stick. The morning after the blessing, my legs felt incredibly relaxed. I automatically extended them to the edge of the bed and stood up without using the walking stick, walking to the bathroom on my own. This amazed me! Thank you, Grandmaster!
After the Health and Happiness Retreat, I also attended the Bodhi Meditation Stress Relief Retreat and the Energy Bagua Elementary Class. My health has improved day by day, with many gains, surprises, and moments of gratitude. I no longer need painkillers, and my legs are flexible and strong. The walking stick that accompanied me for more than eight years has been discarded.
90% Improvement in Psoriasis that Troubled Me for Over Eight Years
After the traffic accident, my whole body was wrapped in plaster, and later, my skin became very sensitive, leading to psoriasis all over my body, causing itching from head to toe. I had to apply medicine two or three times a day and take anti-itch medication. The itching intensified in the evenings, and scratching led to bleeding. Long-term use of hormone and anti-inflammatory medications darkened my skin. Now, my skin is basically not itchy, it has become smoother, and there is no more peeling. Previously, doctors said there was no cure for my psoriasis, but in just a few months at Bodhi Meditation, I have recovered to this extent. I am truly grateful to Grandmaster.
Flexible Neck After Eight Years of Stiffness
During the traffic accident, my neck nerves were affected. I could only look straight ahead, unable to bow, lift my head, or turn it left or right. Any slight stretching of my neck would be very painful. After attending Bodhi Meditation classes, I can now lift my head, bow, and turn my neck 45 degrees to the left and right. Bodhi Meditation has allowed me to regain health and happiness! I am very grateful to Grandmaster JinBodhi for giving me a new lease on life, a rebirth!
Chanting for Blessings
Under the guidance of the Center Director, everyone, with a pure and respectful heart, offered prayers for their family and loved ones. They sincerely expressed bright aspirations from their hearts, communicated with the Medicine Buddha, and prayed for the well-being, happiness, and joy of everyone around them. Together, the participants devoutly chanted to the Mantra of the Medicine Buddha, and the sound echoed throughout the entire venue, spreading the loving energy of the Medicine Buddha even further.
Blessing with Great Auspicious Energy
The Center Director, in resonance with Grandmaster JinBodhi and in communication with the energy of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, blessed the participants, alleviating issues related to the head, internal organs, and muscles and bones. The attendees experienced a baptism of compassionate energy. Afterwards, many guests provided feedback on the benefits they received after the blessing, sharing the relief of physical ailments or the disappearance of symptoms, as well as the joy and gratitude of body and mind relaxation.
Eight lucky guests joyfully received cute tea pet gifts specially prepared by the Meditation Center.
As the ceremony came to a close, everyone, filled with gratitude, offerings, and praise, sang the song “A Hymn to the Buddha.” Each guest was brimming with Dharma joy, carrying home abundant energy of health, happiness, well-being, and longevity. They aimed to pass on the great love of the Medicine Buddha to those around them and eagerly anticipated the next activities at the Meditation Center, forming beautiful karmic connections with Bodhi Meditation.
The Medicine Buddha’s Birthday Blessing Ceremony concluded with auspiciousness, gratitude, and joy.
For more photos, please go to New York Bodhi Meditation Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/100046954612506/posts/pfbid02CDiEa3UHvwf64TzYo37CGeQeXYK5vAPpyX3UTKNpQFdUSqndnoHy1cFsBGP9SPfAl/?mibextid=cr9u03
The intent of the testimonial is to offer wellness information of a general nature. Individual results of practice may vary.