Guang Ming Digestorlandobuddhism.org/digest/GMD 25 Summer 2016 Issue 25.pdf · Guan Yin...

GuangMingDigest Summer2016–Issue25 Page1

GuangMingTempleWishesYouanEnjoyableSummer!

Afterabusyschoolandworkyear,itistimetoenjoythegiftsoffamily,friends,andournaturalworld.Asyouenjoyyoursummer,reflectonthispoembyShiTao(1630-1708)oftheMingDynasty:

Inaleaf,serenity;fromaflower,pleasantfragrance.Suchmerefacts;whoistoknowwhatishiddenwithin.

Enjoythisandotherpoemsinthebook365DaysforTravelerswhilehavingacupofteainthetemple’sWaterdropTeahouse!

Summer2016July-September

AQuarterlyPublicationofGuangMingBuddhistTempleandCenterforHumanisticBuddhisminOrlando,Florida

GuangMingDigest


AboutGuangMingDigestandGuangMingTemple

TheGuangMingDigestisanEnglishpublicationofGuang

Ming Temple, a branch of Fo Guang Shan, which is

Chinese for Buddha’s Light Mountain. The temple is

locatedat6555HoffnerAvenueinOrlando,Florida.

FoGuangShanBuddhistorder,headquarteredinTaiwan,

wasestablished in1967byVenerableMasterHsingYun.

FoGuangShanhasevolvedfromasmallmonasteryatop

a mountain of bamboo forest to become the largest

BuddhistmonasteryinTaiwan.

UnderVenerableMaster’s leadershipFoGuangShanhas

flourishedandnowincludesover200templesworldwide

as well as colleges, hospitals and other social serving

organizations. He has inspired the selfless devotion of

over1,000ordaineddisciplesaswellasgainedtheardent

support of many lay devotees to assist him in bringing

faith, happiness, hope and convenience to others.

ServingothersthroughtheobjectivesofFoGuangShanis

thehallmarkofHumanisticBuddhism.

ThefourobjectivesofFoGuangShanare:

1) To propagate Buddhist teachings throughculturalactivities;2)Tofostertalentthrougheducation;3)Tobenefitsocietythroughcharitableprograms;4)Topurify human hearts and minds through Buddhistpractice.Everyoneisinvitedtoparticipateinthemanydevotional,educational and cultural activities that occur throughouttheyearatGuangMingTemple.

GuangMingDigest

Summer2016

InthisIssue

TheVenerableMaster’sMessage:TheBenefitsofLeisureTravelAPrayerforExcursionsandTravel BuddhistCeremonialHappeningsAPrayerforOurParentsOneStrokeCalligraphyExhibitSummerCampSportsmanshipMidAutumnFestivalBLIAOrlandoLotusHappeningsWelcome!WeeklyCalendarChineseClassesBeginningSoon!


AMessagefromVenerableMasterHsingYun

FounderofFoGuangShanMonastery

Summerishereandmanyofuswilltakevacations.The Venerable Master encourages is to go, see,experience the natural world and enjoy visitingfriendsandfamilyandmakingnewacquaintances.

TheBenefitsofLeisureTravel

In the midst of our tense and busy lives, occasionally taking time for leisure travel canrejuvenateussothatwemayresumeourjourneyinlifewithrenewedvigor.Whatbenefitsdowereceivebytakingtimetoexperiencenewplacesandmeetnewpeople?

1. WeexperiencenatureandenrichourselvesFolklore says: “Reading thousands of volumes of books cannot compare to travelingthousandsofmilesofroad.”Travelingallowsustoexperiencetheimmensityofnatureand to expand our interpersonal relationships. These experiences will increase ourknowledgeanddeepenourunderstandingoftheworld.

2. WebroadenourmindsandexpandourawarenessofothersWhiletravelingandvisitingothers,wemustmaintainanunbiasedmindsothatwecanimpartially observe the scenery and be open to learning about the customs andtraditions of others. This will allow us to expand our own capability to perceive andunderstandpeopleandsituationsinabroaderanddeepersense,includingthehistoricalbackground,geographyandsocialcustomsoftheplaceswevisit.

3. Weareabletobeactiveorquiet,closeordistantWhenwe travel, thereare times tomaintainquietude so thatwe canappreciateoursurroundingsintranquility.Thereareothertimeswhendynamicactionisappropriate.Wemay want to hike a great distance, follow a long and winding river, or climb tosoaringheights.Tobecloseand tobedistantmeans thatweattend to thingsnearbywithutmostcare,yet,atthesametime,wenevermissanopportunitytodeepenourexperience of things far away. Leisure travelwill help us to develop this flexibility ofawareness.


4. Wemorefullyenjoythesoundsofbrooksandthecolorsofmountains“ThesoundsmadebybrooksallexpoundtheDharma;thecolorsofthemountainsaremanifestationsof thepurebodyof ultimate reality.”Great natureoffers us profoundinspiration,asthefollowingexperienceofaChanstudentillustrates:Beforetravelingtoseek instruction,oneseesamountainasamountainandwateraswater.Finally,onlyafterawakeningtothetruth,willheorsheonceagainseeamountainasamountainandwateraswater?Whenweventureoutandseemoreoftheworld,itiseasierforustoexperiencethistypeofawareness.

Therefore,wisdomisoftenobtainedthroughleisuretravel.Insummary,appropriaterestandtravelfacilitatesourdevelopmentinthefollowingways:

1. Weexperiencenatureandenrichourselves.2. Webroadenourmindsandexpandourawarenessofothers.3. Weareabletobeactiveorquiet,closeordistant.4. Wemorefullyenjoythesoundsofbrooksandthecolorsofmountains.


A Prayer for Excursion and Travel Oh great compassionate Buddha! I have often heard, “Read mountains of books, travel thousands of miles.” I have been attracted to this type of carefree living for a long time. The wonderful example of Sudhana consulting the fifty-three wise sages is well worth our following! The practice of past generations of patriarchs traveling and teaching in order to seek enlightenment is well worth imitating. Oh great compassionate Buddha! Please grant me safety. May I leave home happily and return home safely. I would like to tell you Buddha, In order to improve my knowledge I go on excursions and I travel; In order to learn customs, I go on excursions and travel; In order to increase my experience, I go on excursions and travel; In order to form good affinities, I go on excursions and travel. I would like to express my gratitude to you, Buddha, for your blessings and protection; To the mountains and rivers and the earth for providing me places to enjoy; To the oceans and seas for allowing me to travel safely; To the blue sky and white clouds for allowing me to grow in strength and be carefree; To the trees, flowers and grass, for allowing me to be completely relaxed and happy. Oh great compassionate Buddha! Because I am able to take even one trip or excursion, I would like to give thanks to my relatives and friends for their support and assistance which gives me the opportunity to travel; To my dharma friends for their help, which provides me with modern conveniences; To the many people who share my responsibilities at work which allows me to travel unhurriedly; To the many people who contribute to my favorable conditions which enables me to gain so much generous treatment. My whole heart is filled with joy and gratitude. Oh great compassionate Buddha! During excursions and travel, I would like to pray to you to ensure my safety and to assist my smooth sailing. Oh great compassionate Buddha, Please accept my sincerest prayer!


BuddhistCeremonialHappeningsThisQuarterDharma services are conducted every Sunday, usually from 10:30 to 12:30. Some specialservices might begin earlier, others will be continued into the afternoon. Some of theceremonies in theBuddhistcalendarandsomeofGuangMingTemple’sculturalcelebrationsarelistedbelow.However,itisnotnecessarilyacompletelist.Comebythetempleandcheckthe bulletin board for the latest additions and changes. During the summer there are fewereventsatGuangMingTemplebecauseretreatsareheldinCaliforniaandTaiwan.

Guan Yin Enlightenment Day and Great Compassion RepentanceServiceSunday,July17,2016,10:00AM-12:30PM

GuanYinBodhisattva,alsoknownasGuanShiYinandAvalokitesvaraBodhisattvahasthedeepestaffinitywithsentientbeings.WhatdoesthenameGuanShiYinmean?ThethreeChinesecharacters:"Guan"meanscontemplation,"Shi"meansworld,and"Yin"meanssound.ThenameitselfimpliestheawesomespiritualpoweroftheBodhisattvawhocontemplatestherequestsofsentientbeingsandsavesthemfromsuffering.Weoftensaythat“GuanYinhearsthecriesoftheworld.”Sometimessheisshownwithmanyhands,representingherreachingouttothoseindistress.Sheisalsoseenholdingawillowbranchandavaseofwater.Thewillowbranchhealsillnessesandthevaseholdswater–thedewofcompassion.YoucanseealargewoodencarvingofGuanYinoutsidethethirdfloorTeaMeditationHall.

NoknowledgeofChinese?Noproblem!YoudonothavetobeaBuddhist,ortoknowChineseto participate in the chanting ceremony. A bookletwith Chinese, phonetic translation andEnglishtranslationisavailable.Andifyoufeelmorecomfortablesittingandobserving,thatisfinetoo.Justletthesoundsofthechantingbringpeaceandcomforttoyourmindandheart.


UllambanaFestivalandWaterRepenetnceServiceAugust8,2016,10:00AM–4:00PM

TheUllambanaFestivalMaudgalyana,discipleoftheBuddha,honoredhisparentsthroughactsoffilialpiety.AtGuangMing Temple, August 3rd is dedicated to practicing filial piety through the day-long WaterRepentance Service. Themerit from these serviceswill be sharedwith all our ancestors andloved ones so that they will be reborn in the Buddha’s pure land. It is also an excellentopportunitytorepentourowntransgressions,purifyourminds,andcultivatebothwisdomandmerit.

The service is divided into 4 parts, the first Chanting begins at 10:00, theMealOffering andLunchisatnoon.FollowingluncharetwoChantingservices,at1:30and3:30.Youareinvitedtobepartoftheentiredayoraportion,baseduponyourabilitytoattend.

TheUllambanaFestivaliscelebratedateachofFoGuangShan’s200templesworldwide.ThisphotowastakenattheChicago,Illinoisareatemple.Besuretovisitoursistertempleswhenyouaretraveling!

EnglishChantingServicesJuly31,August28,September25,2016,10:30AM–12:30PM

Venerable Chuehfan, Director of GuangMing Temple, began a tradition two years ago thatmeetstheneedsofthegrowingwesternandEnglish-speakingattendees.Duringtheceremonysheexplainsthemeaningofthevariousaspectsoftheservice.TherewillbechantinginEnglishandChinese,sittingandwalkingmeditationandsingingofFoGuangShanverses.FollowingtheMealtimePrayer,avegetarianlunchisserved.Joinustolearnandworshiptogether.


A Prayer for Our Parents

adaptedfromPEARLSOFWISDOM,PrayersforEngagedLivingI

Oh Great Compassionate Buddha! Since we emerged from the womb,

Our parents have raised and educated us; We have received so much from them

But seldom repay their kindness.

When we cried, they gave us joy; When we were disappointed, they gave us

encouragement; In each requirement of livelihood, they gave us

provision; Through hardships and setbacks, they gave us

comfort.

They have given us so much tenderness and thoughtfulness,

And yet we hardly ever repay them.

Our parents, especially, Have taught and admonished us with patience,

Have raised us through many hardships.

Even ravens and lambs know how to repay their parents;

Are we not as good as these creatures


At showing filial piety to our parents?


EnjoytheCitywideCelebrationoftheVenerableMaster’sCalligraphyDowntownOrlandoJuly5-29,2016


SportsmanshipVenerableMasterHsingYun

Welcometothesummermonths!Thisisoftenatimeofvacations,sportingactivities,frolickingdaysatthebeach.Andsoon,thesummerisoverandit isbacktoschool,withtheclassesandextracurricularactivitiesthatgiveouryouth learning opportunities. Whether on the local playground, in the school gym or on your driveway, thatbasketball game has some lessons for you and your children! If you have visited a Fo Guang Shan temple orbrowsedthroughthebookschroniclinglifeatthemonastery,youwillinevitablyseeabasketballhoop.ThereforeitisnotsurprisingthattheVenerableMasterwouldusethegametoreminduswhatwecanlearnwhenstrivingforthatfieldgoalorfreethrow.Gameon!)

Playing sports is not only good for one’s health, but also one’s behavior. Since nobody isperfect,sportsofferustheopportunitytobetterourselves.Basketball,forexample,canoffermanyvaluable lessonsabout life.Thefollowingarea listofprincipleswecanlearn, justfromplayingbasketball!

1. Peoplehaveastrongtendencytoignoretheirownmistakes,butonabasketballcourtnothingescapesthewatchfuleyesofthereferee.Oncehiswhistleblows,theoffendingplayer must immediately raise his hand and acknowledge the fact that he hascommittedafoul.Thereisnothinganyonecansayordotochangethesituation.

2. Althoughbasketballisagameofintensityandphysicalcontact,inaccordancewiththeestablished rules, fouls are not allowed. Blocking, charging, illegal hand-checks andreach-ins are fouls that are always counted personally against the players. When aseriousfouliscommitted,,apologiesareoftenexpectedfromtheoffender.

3. Basketballistheperfecttraininggroundforquicknessandagility.Ifaplayerishesitantinmakingdecisions,he/shewillneverknowwhen it is therighttimetopassorshootthe ball. When scoring opportunities are constantly missed because of a player’sindecisiveness,thecoachwillhavenochoicebuttomakeasubstitution.

4. Basketballisdefinitelyateamsportandnotanindividualcontesttoseewhocanscorethemostpoints.Allfiveplayersonthecourtmustplayasateamiftheywanttowinthegame. Ifaplayer isselfishandrefusestopass theball,hemaywell findapermanentseatonthebench.

5. Inteamcompetition,itisveryeasyforplayerstohaveasenseofhonoranddignity.Ifaplayeriswithoutthenecessaryfightingspirit,he/shewillneverbecomeatrueathlete.However,ifplayersgivealltheireffortregardlessoftheoutcomeofthegame,theywillearnthepraiseofthosepeoplewatchingandplayingwiththem.

6. Althoughcompetitioncanbe fierceand intense,players shouldneverdisrespect theiropponents. Theymust be tolerant aswell as grateful for theopportunity to play andlearn.

Today, much emphasis is placed on the development of student athletes in our schools.Studentsarenotonlygiventheopportunitytolearninaclassroomsettingbutalsoachancetoparticipateinsportssotheycanunderstandthemeaningofteamworkandtheimportanceofsportsmanship. Accordingly, sports are inherently an education on the values of courage,wisdom, and compassion in life. If wewant to be physically strong andmentally tough, wemightaswellstartonthebasketballcourt!


MIDAUTUMNFESTIVAL

TraditionalChineseCelebrationwilloccuronthe

EveningofSunday,September18th2016PlanswillsoonbeunderwayforourannualMid-AutumnFestival,,hostedbyBLIAOrlandoEastSub-Chapter.EachyearGuangMingTemple plans this festive event. Check the website and templebulletinboardforinformationasthetimenears.Inthemeantime,goaheadandputitonyourcalendar.TheMid-AutumnFestivalisalsoknownastheMoonFestivalandis held under the biggest and brightest fullmoon of the harvestseason.Thefocusofthefestivalistocelebrateloveinallitsforms.Familiesmoveoutsideunderthemoon,wheretheylightlanterns,drink tea and share stories. Neighbors, visiting one another,willalwaysfindafreshcupofhotteaawaitingtheirarrival.

Aspecialtyofthefestivalistheconsumption of Moon Cakes.Yum! So come for thecelebration, enjoy tea andcake, participate in the familyactivities and herald in thebusiestseasonoftheyear!Figure1


BLIA*OrlandoLotus

(English-Speaking)Sub-Chapter

MembersoftheGuangMingTemplecommunitywhoseprimaryormostcomfortablelanguageisEnglishwelcomeyoutojoinusaswefollowthe

Buddha’steachingsandenjoyoneanother’sfriendship,supportandloving-kindness.WehaveDharmastudymeetings,leadtheSundaymorningandThursdayeveningdiscussiongroups,takeourturnon

“kitchenduty”andparticipateintempleactivitiesandcommunityserviceevents.

ManyEnglish-speakershavevoicedconflictofwhattodoonaSundaymorning…..gotoclassorattendthechantingservice?And the Chinese-speakers have not had an opportunity toattend Sunday discussion groups. And, the BLIA LotusmembersanddiscussiongroupattendeeshavevoicedadesiretohavetimewiththeVenerables.Allispossible!Beginning in October, Study groups will be held Sundays from 9:30-10:45, followed by thechantingserviceat11:00.Andonceamonth,eitherVenerableChuehfan,VenerableChuehYenorVenerableChuehMiawwillleadtheclassesAllthewishlistboxesaretherebychecked!

AWordAboutTime!

Torespectthegroupleader,theVenerableconductingtheservice,thosewhoattend,andmostimportantly,theBuddhawhodedicatedhislifetobringinghisteachingtous,wehavearesponsibilitytoget

totheclassandserviceontime.VenerableChuehfantellsusthattheVenerableMasterimploredhisfollowerstobeseated10minutes

priortothebeginningofeveryevent.Byplanningourdayaswedofor ourworkweek,wecandothis.Wemust!

totheGuangMingTempleFamily!


ThesearetheregulareventsatGuangMingTemple.SpecialvisitsbyBuddhistteachers,lectures,workshopsandothereventsarehappeningallofthetime.CheckourwebsiteorFacebook,ordropbythetempletoseewhat’snew.

Meditation–Meditationpractice,forbeginnersandthosewithexperience,isheldinthemainShrine.Times:3rdWednesdayofeachmonthat7:30p.m.isledinEnglishbyVenerableChuehMiaw(Registrationrequired);SundaymorningbeforetheChantingCeremonyat10a.m.;ThursdayeveningbeforetheEnglishBuddhismclassat7p.m.BuddhismClasses–Times:IntroductiontoBuddhism,Thursdayeveningat7:30 p.m.; Buddhism Tours and Discussion Groups, Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. (2 hour class);Buddhism101inSpanish,Thursdayeveningat7:30p.m.Comeat7:00forpeacefulMeditation.ChantingCeremoniesinChinese–EachSunday.SeetheexplanationsintheDigest.EnglishDharmaChantingService–LastSundayofthemonthat10:30a.m.Children’s SundaySchool–Childrenages6andupenjoyartsandcraftsand lessons,supervisedbyYADmembers;onthe2ndfloor.Times:SundaymorningduringtheChantingCeremony.YADMeeting–YoungAdultDivision,ages16to35.Times:Wednesdayeveningat6:30p.m.LearningChinese–NewsemesterbeginsinAugust..Sundays,1:30–3:30p.m.MeditationandTeaasOneExhibition andTeaCeremony–LastSunday,2:00 p.m.,onthe3rdfloor.Byappointmentonly.Pleasecalltoregister. Yoga-Bringyourownmatforthispracticeofexerciseandmeditation.Times:Tuesday,Wednesday&Thursdayeveningsat6:30p.m.;Saturdaymorningat11:30a.m.FeesaredeterminedbyInstructor.SundayLunch–HealthyvegetarianmealsareservedintheDiningHallaftertheChantingCeremonyandBuddhismDiscussionGroup.Donationsaregratefullyaccepted.BYOB:Pleasebringyourownbowl!GuidedTours–Sundaysat10:00AM.Alsoprovidedforindividualsandgroupsofanysize.Pleasecallofficetoschedule.The Venerables at GuangMing Temple are also available to you and your loved ones forspiritual guidance and counseling and to help you plan special commemorations. Call theofficeforanappointment.407-281-8482.

WeeklyCalendar


Thescheduleisflexible,baseduponspecialneedsthatmightrequireeventstobecancelled.Pleasecallthetempletoconfirm.

Sunday 10:00a.m. Meditation*10:30a.m. ChantingCeremony*10:30a.m. ChantingCeremonyinEnglish–lastSundayofthemonth10:30a.m. EnglishBuddhismClasses*10:00a.m.WelcomeTourandDiscussion10:30a.m. Children’sSundayschool1:30p.m. LearningChineseClass2:00p.m. TeaCeremonyDemonstration–lastSundayofthemonth.Byreservation.(Sometimestheclasshas toberescheduled.Calltoconfirm.).

*Seepage13forchangeintimesbeginninginOctober.

Monday TempleClosedTuesday 6:30p.m. TaiChi(Calltoconfirmiftheclassisbeingheldthat

week) Wednesday6:30p.m. Yoga

7:30p.m. MeditationledbyVenerableChuehMiaoinEnglish:4thWednesdayonly,Calltoregister.

Thursday 6:30p.m. Yoga

7:00p.m. Meditation7:30p.m.BuddhismClasses(English&Spanish)

Friday Saturday 11:30a.m. Yoga 7:00p.m. YouthDharmaInstrumentand

Chantingclass

ChineseSchoolGearsUpfortheFall!


ClassesbeginAugust21stthroughDecember18th,2016.Spaceislimited.

GuangMingChineseSchoolispleasedtocontinueofferingchildrenandadultstheopportunitytolearnChinese.Registerearlytoassureaseat!Enrollmentislimited.

ChineseLanguageClasses

The Chinese classes, taught by native Chinese speakers, provide basic spoken and writtenlessons as well as an introduction to Chinese culture. This is an excellent opportunity forChinese American children to obtain grounding in their family’s original language. Westernchildrenhave theopportunity to learnasecond language thatwillprepare themforworkingandlivinginourglobaleconomyandshrinkingworld.Adultswillfindtheclasseshelpfulastheypreparefortravelorbusiness.AllclassesareheldatGuangMingTemple,Sundaysfrom1:30to3:30PM.CallordropbytheTempletoregister.

FallClassScheduleandFees

Children’sIntroductory,BeginnerandIntermediateClasses forChildren,ages5to17.$120Adult’sBeginnerandIntermediateClasses$150Children’sLionDanceClass $75SundayKid’sClub(inEnglish)OpenDonationNotcertainifChineseisyourcupoftea?Noproblem!Comeauditthefirstclass.Ifyoudonotwanttocontinue,thefullRegistrationFeeisreturnedtoyou.

InternationalBuddhistProgressSociety

GuangMingTemple6555HoffnerAvenue,OrlandoFL32822Tel:(407)281-8482Email:[email protected]

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