Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
May 10, 2023

On April 29th, Fo Guang Shan (Singapore) held the "Triple Gem Refuge And Five Precepts Ceremony". The abbot of Fo Guang Shan, Most Venerable Hsin Bau, was invited to preside over the ceremony. A total of 403 people sought to receive the precepts and become disciples of the Buddha.

In the refuge ceremony, the youngest person seeking refuge was only 2 years old, while the youngest person taking the five precepts was 5 years old, and the oldest person was 89 years old. 

Those who participated in the refuge and precepts ceremony came from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and mainland China. With the ringing of the bell and drum, they sincerely invited Most Venerable Hsin Bau to preside over the ceremony and become Buddhist disciples together.
The attendee sincerely invited Most Venerable Hsin Bau to preside over the ceremony. photo／Fo Guang Shan (Singapore)

Most Venerable Hsin Bau gave a sermon to the participants, explaining what it means to take refuge in the Triple Gem and clarifying that taking the Five Precepts is not a form of bondage, but rather a form of protection. 

Most Venerable Hsin Bau said, "The Buddha-Dharma are meant to guide people on the path to Nirvana, to show them how to overcome afflictions, how to walk the Bodhisattva path, and how to attain enlightenment." With the support of Buddha-Dharma, it is easier to reach the other shore of liberation and achieve Buddhahood.

Most Venerable Hsin Bau also mentioned that in the past, when the founder of Fo Guang Shan, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, presided over the precept ceremonies, he would remind the preceptees that "I am Buddha" as a way to remind themselves to speak the language of Buddha and act in the way of Buddha.
Most Venerable Hsin Bau said that in the past, Venerable Master Hsing Yun would remind the preceptees that "I am Buddha." photo／Fo Guang Shan (Singapore)

Most Venerable Hsin Bau reminded the disciples that after taking refuge, they should frequently return to the temple, whether to participate in activities, volunteer work or practice, in order to nurture wisdom and achieve blessings and wisdom.