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| "A great compassionate mind is the Buddha mind. The spirit of Buddhism is compassion and equality. To achieve a mind of compassion and equality: first, we should not kill; second, we should save lives; third, we should practice vegetarianism. If we carry out all these, our compassionate mind will manifest." |
The Chinese New Year Blessing Ceremony will be held on Sunday, February 14th from 9:30 am-12:30 pm. To recognize those impacted by the earthquake in Haiti, special tablets will be prepared to dedicate the merits to help the dead transcend to higher realms where they can obtain peace and joy. We also send hope for a better life in the future for those who remain. Please join us for the ceremony and stay for the free, delicious vegetarian lunch served immediately after. |
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As we celebrate and look forward to the new year, our thoughts are with those who suffered this past year due to natural disasters, war, and famine. Buddha Gate Monastery is currently accepting monetary donations for Haiti. 100% will go directly to the Red Cross, so please support those who suffer so deeply. You can contact the monastery to make your donation. |
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We welcome all to join us in paying homage to Guan Yin at the Blessing Ceremony on Sunday, March 28th, from 9:30 am-12:00 pm. Guan Yin Bodhisattva is the manifestation of compassion, who hears the cries of all sentient beings and liberates them from their suffering.We will focus on the Bodhisattva’s practice of the Four Great Immeasurable Mindsets: kindness, compassion, joy, and non-attachment. This ceremony is also part of the beginning celebration of this year’s 10th Anniversary of Buddha Gate Monastery. A free, vegetarian lunch immediately follows the ceremony and is open to all. (Read more)
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Please select one of
the following questions to reflect on and write a 50 to 250 word essay, letter
or article. You can send it to mail@buddhagate.org or bring it to the reception
desk of the Buddha Gate Monastery. Some of your reflections may
be chosen for posting online and/or published in our 10th Anniversary Magazine!
Please submit your work by March 31, 2010.
1. Since coming to Buddha Gate Monastery and studying Buddhism, how has your outlook on life changed?
2. What is something that you have learned from studying Buddhism that aids you
in your everyday life?
3. Share an activity or event hosted by Buddha Gate Monastery that is meaningful to you. Topics
could include workshops, ceremonies, classes, retreats, Dana, pilgrimage to
Chung Tai, taking the 3 Refuges or 5 Precepts or any other
subject.
4. Be creative and reflect and write on anything you wish that would be of
interest to the readers and relevant to Buddhism and Buddha Gate Monastery.
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Through Buddhagate.Gazelle.com, you can donate your old, unused electronics such as cell phones, mp3 players, laptops, and cameras and turn them into funding for the Buddha Gate Monastery essential programs and building operating costs. You’ll also help the environment by keeping these items from our landfills. Visit http://buddhagate.gazelle.com for more details. Thank you for your support!
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On January 1, 2010 the Monastery was festive and lively as hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the New Year. The Blessing Ceremony included Grand Offerings to the Buddha and Sangha, chanting the Diamond Sutra, and a special Dharma Talk from the Abbess, Master Jian Sheng. The ceremony concluded with everyone taking turns striking the giant bell, symbolizing the awakening from our delusions and liberation for all sentient beings. (view pictures)
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From December 27 through January 3 the annual Liang Huang Jeweled
Repentance Ceremony allowed participants the opportunity to repent, reflect and forgive. These daily ceremonies allowed everyone to cleanse their past improper karma and welcome 2010 with a pure mind. (view pictures) |
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On January 24, Dharma friends and family gathered to chant the Sutra on Impermanence and dedicate the merits to the hundreds of thousands killed in the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Donations continue to be accepted at the monastery for the thousands of suffering victims. (view pictures)
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 For a bodhisattva to benefit and bring joy to all sentient beings, he or she will demonstrate four embracing virtues; giving, beneficial actions, encouraging speech and the ability to view things from another’s point of view. At the same time, the bodhisattva must also harbor four immeasurable states of mind (kindness, compassion, joy, and non-attachment) as the foundation for these virtues. If we practice the bodhisattva way without a mind filled with kindness, compassion, joy, and non-attachment, we would be unkind and hypocritical people, and our words would be untruthful. Therefore, we must practice the four immeasurable states of mind together with the four all embracing bodhisattva virtues. Then both speech and mind will be harmonious and we can truly help and benefit all sentient beings. (Read more)
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 On January 7, Buddha Gate Monastery welcomed Jian Li Shifu from Chung Tai Chan Monastery. Shifu is our new Executive Director of Dharma Services. She will be teaching the Beginning Chinese Meditation and Buddhism class, overseeing the communications and publications for the monastery, and assisting in ceremonies, events and activities.
Jian Li Shifu was born in Taoyuan County of Taiwan. Shifu became immersed in Buddhism when her mother became ill. She was deeply drawn to the encompassing wisdom and truth of the Buddha’s teachings and took the Three Refugees under the Grand Master. After the passing of her beloved mother and other friends, she deeply grasped the impermanence of life and took the great vow to practice the Way and be liberated from the suffering of life and death.
The word “Li” in the Shifu’s name translates to “very moving and powerful.” As her name intends, she hopes to have a powerful impact in helping other sentient beings find their own Buddha Nature and liberation.
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Diana Yu has been attending and supporting Buddha Gate monastery since 2001. When she began volunteering, she had no experience cooking for a large number people. Through her diligence, she has become an important and valuable contributor to the daily life at the Monastery and to the Sangha. Read how her inspiring story supports vegetarianism. |
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Arhats are liberated from the cycle of birth and death by severing the false ego. By dedicating themselves to Bodhisattva practice, they can finally attain Buddhahood.
"Maitreya" means "compassion and benevolence." Bodhisattva Maitreya is also known as "Ajita" which means "invincible." He regards all living beings with compassion and has perfected the virtue of patience. He will be the next Buddha in the future. He is regarded as the founder of the Consciousness-Only School in Mahayana Buddhism.
The depicted statue of the "Cloth-bag Monk," a Buddhist monk who lived in China about a thousand years ago, was regarded as the earthly incarnation of Maitreya. He has a "big stomach" and can therefore tolerate anything. If someone takes advantage of him it won’t make him mad. The "big stomach" symbolizes limitless tolerance and generosity.
He composed the following verse:
“If someone strikes me, I lie down and go to sleep, let them beat me as they please. If someone spits on my face, I simply let it dry, without bothering to wipe it away. Since I don’t fight back, the doer cools off too. This kind of paramita for reaching the other shore is a treasure among wonders. Once you learn this, how can you fail to attain the Way?” |
 Pledge to be vegetarian at least one day a week and make a positive change for your health, the environment, and the humane treatments of animals. By refraining from eating any living creatures at least one day a week, every week, you will lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, save the lives of animals, and reduce your contribution to global warming. For more information, find us on Facebook at http://groups.to/goveggie. Also, try some the delicious vegetarian online recipes at Buddha Gate Monastery.
Be kind to your body. Be kind to the animals. Be kind to our planet!
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