【至誠感恩觀世音菩薩】
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今天是一個非常吉祥的好日子，是大慈大悲觀世音菩薩的聖誕。這裡我先和大家分享一則歷史上和觀世音菩薩感應的故事：
元魏時，有一個叫道泰的人，住在常山的衡唐精舍，曾經夢見有人告訴他說，他的壽命只有四十二歲。果然到了四十二歲的時候，他生起很重的病來，他憂慮自己必定如夢中所提示的會死，於是將他所有的衣食資產廣為佈施積福。有位朋友對他說：我聽過供養六十二億菩薩，和念一聲觀世音的人，得福報是一樣的，您何不皈依誦念觀世音菩薩？道泰猛然感悟，虔誠歸依誦念，不分日夜。精誠勤奮四天四夜後，忽然看見一道白光從戶外射進來，非常的耀眼，光芒中看見觀世音菩薩的金色雙腳，令全屋金光朗照。道泰馬上扯開帳子出來叩頭頂禮，一會兒光就消失了。他又悲又喜，周身流汗，全身輕鬆，所生的病也就一次都全好了。（ 續高僧傳 第25卷）
那像這樣菩薩慈悲顯像來幫助眾生的神跡，是經常發生的。在我小時候修行和成長的過程中，觀世音菩薩就時常伴隨著我，幫助我修行，給我指導。我對佛法的認識，以及後來對很多事物的認識，都是觀世音菩薩直接教導給我。在我傳法的過程中，當重大的活動或是事件發生時，菩薩也都會慈悲化現、護佑一切順利吉祥。
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觀世音菩薩的慈悲，我自己的感悟，就像一位為孩子付出一切、想盡一切辦法的母親：我們小時候不愛吃飯，或是身體不舒服，母親怕我們餓壞了，會唱著歌、做著遊戲，想方設法哄著我們吃飯，或者是哄著我們吃藥，而自己可能完全忘記吃飯、睡覺，一心只為了讓我們早點獲得健康。這種慈悲啊，只有母親才有。而觀世音菩薩這樣一位母親是對天下眾生的。這種慈悲心實在令我敬佩。
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菩薩這麼慈悲對我們，我們要做的是什麼呢，概括起來只有兩個字：真誠！
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那麼，在這樣神聖的日子裡，如何表達真誠呢？
1. 沐浴更衣，真誠誦念觀世音菩薩聖號。
2. 在家裡或是道場的觀世音菩薩像前，真誠供養、獻花、獻果、獻禮。
3. 參與共修誦念。因為共修的能量與感應是更強的。不在禪堂附近的同修可以晚上在我們約定的時間裡選一個時段一同誦念（晚上8：30-臨晨1：00）。
正如觀世音菩薩願望中所說的——「一切正在有苦、有難、有貧窮、有疾病的眾生，如果你所求的，但願我能幫你」，希望大家把握今天的機會，真誠感恩，得到佛光普照，實現心中願望！
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.# 觀世音菩薩聖誕、#念佛、#供養
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Deepest gratitude to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Today is a very auspicious day, the birthday of the most compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva. Let me share with you a story from Chinese history in relation to Guanyin Bodhisattva:
During the Northern Wei dynasty there was a man named Dao-tai(道泰) who lived in the Changshan county. He had a dream in which he was told he had a lifespan of only forty-two years. True enough, he fell very sick on his forty-second birthday. Thinking that he was going to die, he donated all his wealth to the poor to gain karmic merits. One day, he heard from his friend that the karmic reward of calling out the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva with great sincerity is equivalent to making offerings to 6.2 billion Bodhisattvas. This inspired Dao-tai to chant reverently day and night. Suddenly, on the fourth night, he was enveloped by bright light shining in from the outside. In the blinding light, he could see the legs of Guanyin boddhisattva and immediately prostrated at the bodhisattva’s gold-sheathed feet. The light disappeared as fast as it came and Dao-tai found himself covered in perspiration. Amazingly, he was cured of all illnesses after that. (Continued in the 25th chapter of the Biographies of Eminent Monks).
Such miraculous blessings from Guanyin Bodhisattva are not uncommon. While I was growing up, Guanyin Bodhisattva was always by my side; holding my hand as I walked the path, giving me guidance on my practice. She taught me all about the Buddha dharma and the natural way of things. Till today, she is there at all the key events of my life, watching over me, bestowing blessings to all as I spread the Dharma.
The Bodhisattva’s compassion is like that of a loving mother who gives unconditionally: She will go through all means to ensure that we are safe and healthy, even at the expense of herself. Such deep love is what a mother will bear towards her own child. To the benevolent Guanyin Bodhisattva, all of us, all sentient beings are like her children. Such compassion and love are truly admirable!
The great compassion that the Bodhisattva bears for us can only be repaid with the deepest respect and sincerity. How do we express that on this sacred day?
1. Freshen ourselves and sincerely chant the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva.
2. Make sincere offerings of flowers, fruits and gifts to the benevolent Guanyin Bodhisattva.
3. Join the group chanting practice at the Bodhi Meditation Center. If you stay far away from the center, you can chant together with us in your home, anytime between 8.30 in the evening to 1 in the morning. Group practice is beneficial as it yields much stronger energy and builds a stronger connection with the merciful Bodhisattva.
Guanyin Bodhisattva has vowed to help all sentient beings who call out to her, freeing them from suffering, pain, poverty and sickness. On this auspicious day, let us offer our sincerest gratitude and receive the blessings from the most compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva!
#GuanyinBodhisattvaBirthday #chanting #sincereOfferingsrnrnDeepest gratitude to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Today is a very auspicious day, the birthday of the most compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva. Let me share with you a story from Chinese history in relation to Guanyin Bodhisattva:
During the Northern Wei dynasty there was a man named Dao-tai(道泰) who lived in the Changshan county. He had a dream in which he was told he had a lifespan of only forty-two years. True enough, he fell very sick on his forty-second birthday. Thinking that he was going to die, he donated all his wealth to the poor to gain karmic merits. One day, he heard from his friend that the karmic reward of calling out the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva with great sincerity is equivalent to making offerings to 6.2 billion Bodhisattvas. This inspired Dao-tai to chant reverently day and night. Suddenly, on the fourth night, he was enveloped by bright light shining in from the outside. In the blinding light, he could see the legs of Guanyin boddhisattva and immediately prostrated at the bodhisattva’s gold-sheathed feet. The light disappeared as fast as it came and Dao-tai found himself covered in perspiration. Amazingly, he was cured of all illnesses after that. (Continued in the 25th chapter of the Biographies of Eminent Monks).
Such miraculous blessings from Guanyin Bodhisattva are not uncommon. While I was growing up, Guanyin Bodhisattva was always by my side; holding my hand as I walked the path, giving me guidance on my practice. She taught me all about the Buddha dharma and the natural way of things. Till today, she is there at all the key events of my life, watching over me, bestowing blessings to all as I spread the Dharma.
The Bodhisattva’s compassion is like that of a loving mother who gives unconditionally: She will go through all means to ensure that we are safe and healthy, even at the expense of herself. Such deep love is what a mother will bear towards her own child. To the benevolent Guanyin Bodhisattva, all of us, all sentient beings are like her children. Such compassion and love are truly admirable!
The great compassion that the Bodhisattva bears for us can only be repaid with the deepest respect and sincerity. How do we express that on this sacred day?
1. Freshen ourselves and sincerely chant the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva.
2. Make sincere offerings of flowers, fruits and gifts to the benevolent Guanyin Bodhisattva.
3. Join the group chanting practice at the Bodhi Meditation Center. If you stay far away from the center, you can chant together with us in your home, anytime between 8.30 in the evening to 1 in the morning. Group practice is beneficial as it yields much stronger energy and builds a stronger connection with the merciful Bodhisattva.
Guanyin Bodhisattva has vowed to help all sentient beings who call out to her, freeing them from suffering, pain, poverty and sickness. On this auspicious day, let us offer our sincerest gratitude and receive the blessings from the most compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva!
#GuanyinBodhisattvaBirthday #chanting #sincereOfferings
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