Buddha's Birthday Celebration at CMC

6/10/2002  

On Sunday, May 19th, the Chan Center hosted the Buddha's 2626th Birthday Celebration. For a full day, beginning at 10am and ending at 4:30pm, the center was full of appreciation and beauty, as people expressed their gratitude to Shakyamuni Buddha, the original Buddha of this modern era. To show their thanks, and to prepare the center for the celebration, volunteers and sangha members had decorated the chan hall with creative artwork, crafts, calligraphy, and floral arrangements. As always, the volunteers prepared tasty vegetarian food that complemented the warm appearance of the chan center, and provided home-cooked energy to the estimated 400 visitors. 

Much of the day's activities consisted of chanting and the ceremony of bathing the Buddha. Those wishing to pay respects to the Buddha had the opportunity to pour water over a figurine of a young Buddha, in memory of the purity of his realization. Shifu mentioned the importance of this symbolic act, explaining that the ritual bathing is not necessary for the Buddha. Rather, the ritual can be a strong reminder of our dedication to purifying our own minds and cutting off vexations. By putting the Buddha's teachings into practice, we are truly being thankful and appreciative of the Three Jewels, the wonderful expression of the Dharma.

Master Jen Chun of the Bodhi Monastery in New Jersey, and a few of his disciples came to celebrate and support the sangha on this special day. He gave a brief talk on the importance of living out the Dharma in everyday life, and expressed our need to have the aspirations of a Bodhisattva, devoted to helping others.

Master Sheng-yen also gave a dharma lecture in which he continued the theme of the previous Sunday lectures on the Seven Factors of Enlightenment. He made important distinctions between the various meanings of term Samadhi, or absorption, and stressed the usefulness of cultivating a concentrated mind. This discipline of concentration-meditation naturally flows into everyday life, as we can act in a more peaceful manner. The realization of Mahayana samadhi, however exceeding mere concentration, is a mind freed from mental afflictions, founded on the realization of no-mind, the fundamentally selfless nature of things. Shifu explained how this state occurs, and noted how this realization brings about a healthy and happy life of compassion and wisdom.

After the solemnity of ritual and chanting, the many talented and creative members of the sangha provided a wide variety of entertainment, ranging from traditional Chinese opera music, to Italian folk songs, to a magic show that left us with smiling faces and balloon-animal hats.

Thanks to everyone who made the event such a warm and joyous occasion.