On August 27th, New York Bodhi Meditation Center concluded the 2023 Ullambana Festival Blessing Ceremony successfully. In total, we had 250 people for the event! New and old friends gathered together, forming karmic connections with the Bodhi Meditation, getting to know Grandmaster JinBodhi, learning the Dharma, deeply understanding cause and effect, and embarking on a journey to change their lives and the destiny of their families!
Preparing the venue with concerted efforts
The day before the ceremony, volunteers arrived at the venue, enthusiastically setting up and meticulously arranging everything for the event.
The offering table was prepared with offerings of incense, beautiful flowers, fresh fruits, precious jewels, and sutras. A red carpet was laid out, and an exquisite thangka depicting “The Life of Sakyamuni Buddha” was displayed.
Chairs were neatly arranged along with a gift bag for the attendees, and displays of five-color rice and oil, protective five-color cords, and pocket-sized Mahākāla Deity Thangka were set up. The venue was solemn and beautiful, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the guests on the following day.
Warmly Welcoming the Guests
On August 27th, the volunteers arrived at the venue early in the morning. Guided by Teacher Guanshan, the Director of the New York Bodhi Meditation Center, the volunteers recited the “Grandmaster JinBodhi’s Golden Words” with pure intentions and dedication in the spirit of offering. They chanted together with energy, preparing to serve everyone with the best mindset.
Starting at 8:30 AM, the guests began to arrive at the venue one by one. The volunteers warmly received them, bringing warmth to the guests.
Two teachers tied five-color cords blessed by Grandmaster JinBodhi onto each guest, providing protection and safety.
The guests devoutly paid their respects to the ancient thangka of “The Life of Sakyamuni Buddha,” expressing gratitude for the Buddha’s protection, the radiance of the Dharma, and the blessings of peace, auspiciousness, and well-being.
The Blessing Ceremony Begins!
At 10:00 AM, the blessing ceremony officially commenced, and the emcees greeted everyone. This time, many new friends participated in the event, and they waved their hands in greeting!
The emcees invited Teacher Guanshan to lead everyone in the ritual of offering incense to the Buddha. With genuine guidance, he encouraged everyone to use boundless sincerity, praying that departed ancestors would receive the Buddha’s guiding light, ensuring their well-being so that we can be healthier and more auspicious. The teacher reminded everyone to follow Grandmaster’s teachings on the karma of the three lifetimes. We need to understand and address our karmic debts and accumulate merits for our ancestors and future generations.
Transforming the Generational Fate of Family Suicides and Tragedies!
Sister Honggong shared the story of her father-in-law’s family fate, providing us with much reflection and insight.
In the three generations preceding her father-in-law, there were consecutive suicides. The first generation died from swallowing potassium nitrate, the second generation drowned in a river. With no one performing virtuous deeds, the fate of suicide continued in the third generation as his aunt hung herself!
By the time of her father-in-law, in the fourth generation, both of his younger brothers died in car accidents at ages 49 and 42 respectively. Her father-in-law himself suffered from severe depression and had thoughts of ending his own life.
Fortunately, a turning point emerged. Sister Honggong came to Bodhi Meditation, continuously making light offerings to the Buddha for her family and ancestors, accumulating merits. By offering light for her father-in-law, his depression miraculously improved!
Around the age of 36, Sister Honggong’s husband also narrowly escaped a severe car accident. Due to her ongoing accumulation of merits for her family, the accident was averted, turning danger into safety. It was Grandmaster who safeguarded her husband’s well-being. Through her journey into Bodhi, she not only changed the fate of her own small family but also reversed the destiny of the entire lineage!
Now, in the present generation, Sister Honggong’s son had the fortunate opportunity to attend the youth camp guided by Grandmaster last month. This experience has given him a deeper understanding of life’s meaning, fostering gratitude, and enhancing his self-confidence!
Grateful for and Cherishing the Present, Rectifying the Past
Sister Mami also reflects on her own family. Her father and one of her aunts also passed away tragically. It was through encountering Grandmaster and listening to his teachings that she learned to accept these losses. The experiences of the past losses have taught her to treasure and be grateful for the present. The past tragedies also serve as a reminder for her: whenever there’s an opportunity, she should perform virtuous deeds to make amends for the karma of her ancestors. By accumulating merits for herself, her future, and her children, she believes that’s the way to truly change the destiny of the family. She expresses gratitude to Grandmaster, as it’s due to him that she now experiences peace, auspiciousness, and a sense of tranquility.
Sincerely Chanting to Accumulate Merits for Her Mother, Bringing Liberation and Restoring Health to Herself!
Sister Chihuo, who just completed the 7-Day “Earth Store Merits Chanting Class” at the New York Bodhi Meditation Center, passionately shared her experiences with everyone. Sister Chihuo’s parents were orphans from a young age, and both of her younger brothers passed away at a very young age due to illness. Sister Chihuo herself was in a serious car accident over five years ago, which resulted in severe residual effects.
On July 30th, Sister Chihuo came to the Meditation Center to pay respects to the Lotus-Holding Guanyin Bodhisattva, asking for blessings for her mother who was very ill at that point. She saw Guanyin Bodhisattva shining light on her mother, but when the light was casted on her mother, her mother’s body was engulfed in darkness. The next morning, she learned that her mother had passed away.
Sister Chihuo immediately returned to the Meditation Center to make light offerings for her mother and recite the Earth Store Bodhisattva’s Heart Mantra. An hour before her mother’s funeral, while reciting the Heart Mantra for her mother, Sister Chihuo saw the compassionate light of Guanyin Bodhisattva illuminating her mother, who emerged from a large dark pit!
By participating in the chanting class for her mother, Sister Chihuo saw, during the second day of class, Grandmaster and Guanyin Bodhisattva clearly shining bright light on her mother. They guided her mother to a bright cloud layer, where her mother was guided and liberated by Buddha and Guanyin Bodhisattva! She is truly grateful to Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Grandmaster!
Furthermore, Sister Chihuo’s severe residual effects from the car accident, including intense physical pain, have diminished by 80%! Her body has transformed from heavy to light and comfortable. The attendees present at the event were all delighted for Sister Chihuo.
The Compassionate Teachings of Grandmaster JinBodhi Have Benefited Countless Beings
Together, we watched Grandmaster’s teaching on “The Ullambana Sutra,” helping us understand that practicing is essential to cultivate wisdom and achieve enlightenment. Practitioners who offer alms to those who have attained The Way accumulate great merits. The Ullambana season is the best opportunity for making offerings and accumulating merits. Grandmaster also encouraged us to involve our children in these acts of merit-making, fostering virtuous behavior from a young age and creating an auspicious life. The audience felt enlightened upon hearing this!
Sincerely Chanting for Our Ancestors is an Expression of Affection, Responsibility, and Gratitude
Teacher Guanshan led everyone in sincerely chanting for our parents and ancestors, expressing our genuine feelings and love for them. By transcending the karmic inheritance of our ancestors with love, we strive to change our destiny. Then, with a heart full of gratitude, we chanted and dedicated the merits to all beings in need. May all suffering beings be liberated from suffering as soon as possible.
“A Hymn to the Buddha” – Expressing Reverence and Gratitude
All attendees stood up, singing “A Hymn to the Buddha” with the utmost gratitude and reverence, expressing our deep respect and boundless gratitude to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Grandmaster. We are thankful for Grandmaster’s guidance, which has brought us closer to the Buddhas and taught us methods and opportunities to find happiness and liberation from suffering!
The Blessing Ceremony Concluded with Auspiciousness and Fulfillment, Yielding Abundant Rewards!
Finally, as the ceremony came to a successful close, the teachers blessed the attendees with scriptures, offering auspicious blessings.
The attendees joyfully received five-color rice and oil blessed by Grandmaster JinBodhi. Each person also received the protection of a pocket-sized Mahākāla Deity Thangka. A vegetarian sushi lunch filled with love was also provided.
We are grateful for Grandmaster’s blessings, thankful for the participation of all attendees, and appreciative of the efforts of all volunteers. The Ullambana Festival Blessing Ceremony concluded joyfully and thankfully, leaving every guest with a heart full of fulfillment. We will meet again at the Medicine Buddha’s Birthday Blessing Ceremony in November!
New York Bodhi Meditation Center Lamp Room
New York Bodhi Meditation Center – Ancestral Blessing Tablet for Liberation
For more photos, please go to New York Bodhi Meditation Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=BodhiMeditationNewYorkEnglish&set=a.861806115394534
The intent of the testimonial is to offer wellness information of a general nature. Individual results of practice may vary.