Chinese New Year is one of the most celebrated holidays in the Chinese community. On February 10th, Jade Buddha Temple held its annual Chinese New Year ceremony. With over 1,400 people attending, Master Jian Dan had the chance to publicly wish everyone a peaceful year.
According to Chinese zodiac, 2008 is the year of rats. Chinese believe that rats symbolize good wealth and will bring fortune to earth. It turns out this believe originated from Buddhism, a story from Virupaksla. Virupaksla, guardian of the northern direction, is one of the four heavenly kings who are protectors of the dharma. Virupaksla is known for his noble deeds and being the wealthiest among the four heavenly kings. With this great wealth, Virupaksla wished to share them with all beings. Unfortunately, all the precious gems were swallowed by a rat, impersonated by a phoenix. Virupaksla caught the rat and demanded the rat to spill out all the jewels. In the appearance of a warrior god, Virupaksla always has his left hand holding in the lap a rat expelling jewels from the mouth, creating a stream of precious gems spreading on to earth below.
It is from this story that Chinese believe rats bring fortune to earth. During Chinese new year, people always like to wish each other a new year of great fortune and wealth. From Buddhism’s perspective, there are four kinds of wealth.
Of course money is the first kind of wealth. We earn money through rightful means. Then there is wealth of wisdom. We diligently study Buddhism and achieve true understanding, then we obtain the wealth of wisdom. As we know, Buddhism is not just a grand theory but something concrete that can be practiced and applied in daily lives. For example, we can accumulate wealth of good relationship by volunteering at the temple, supporting Buddhism, and be friendly and kind to all beings. If we know how to skillfully utilize our wisdom when volunteering at temple, know how to continuously develop good relationship with dharma brothers and sisters, we will foster helping conditions that will further benefit the development of the temple, the propagation of Buddhism, as well as the spiritual growth of ourselves. This is the fourth and the ultimate wisdom, the wisdom of dharma.
Buddhism is not against money or wealth; buddhism emphasizes how to skillfully utilize the worldly wealth to benefit the dharma wealth. True wealth comes at the realization of dharma wealth.
Many honored guests were present today, including Senator Glenn Hegar and Judge Jim Shoemake with whom Master took a picture.
According to Chinese zodiac, 2008 is the year of rats. Chinese believe that rats symbolize good wealth and will bring fortune to earth. It turns out this believe originated from Buddhism, a story from Virupaksla. Virupaksla, guardian of the northern direction, is one of the four heavenly kings who are protectors of the dharma. Virupaksla is known for his noble deeds and being the wealthiest among the four heavenly kings. With this great wealth, Virupaksla wished to share them with all beings. Unfortunately, all the precious gems were swallowed by a rat, impersonated by a phoenix. Virupaksla caught the rat and demanded the rat to spill out all the jewels. In the appearance of a warrior god, Virupaksla always has his left hand holding in the lap a rat expelling jewels from the mouth, creating a stream of precious gems spreading on to earth below.
It is from this story that Chinese believe rats bring fortune to earth. During Chinese new year, people always like to wish each other a new year of great fortune and wealth. From Buddhism’s perspective, there are four kinds of wealth.
Of course money is the first kind of wealth. We earn money through rightful means. Then there is wealth of wisdom. We diligently study Buddhism and achieve true understanding, then we obtain the wealth of wisdom. As we know, Buddhism is not just a grand theory but something concrete that can be practiced and applied in daily lives. For example, we can accumulate wealth of good relationship by volunteering at the temple, supporting Buddhism, and be friendly and kind to all beings. If we know how to skillfully utilize our wisdom when volunteering at temple, know how to continuously develop good relationship with dharma brothers and sisters, we will foster helping conditions that will further benefit the development of the temple, the propagation of Buddhism, as well as the spiritual growth of ourselves. This is the fourth and the ultimate wisdom, the wisdom of dharma.Buddhism is not against money or wealth; buddhism emphasizes how to skillfully utilize the worldly wealth to benefit the dharma wealth. True wealth comes at the realization of dharma wealth.
Many honored guests were present today, including Senator Glenn Hegar and Judge Jim Shoemake with whom Master took a picture.
1 comment:
師父太強了!!
在1400人面前演講，
太令人佩服了。
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