Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
September 1, 2023

On August 27th, I.B.P.S. Do Brasil and Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Brazil jointly organized the South America Ullambana Merit Transfer Dharma Service & Sangha Day Celebration. Led by Venerable Miao You, the Abbess of I.B.P.S. Do Brasil, a total of 17 venerables from Asociación Budista IBPS Argentina, I.B.P.S. Paraguay, Templo Budista Fo Guang Shan en Chile, I.B.P.S. Do Brasil, and I.B.P.S. Rio De Janeiro participated in accepting the offerings.

Deputy Mayor of Cotia, Angela Maluf; Almir Rodrigues, Secretary of Public Security of Cotia; Director General of the Economic and Cultural Office of Taipei in Brazil, São Paulo, Kuang-jong Fong, and his wife; OCAC in Sao Paulo Director Zhang Xi Xian, Deputy Director Ou Mei Ting; Dr. Miguel, Director of BLIA World Headquarters, Eiko Chih, Director of Equipe de Voluntários da Comunidade Chinesa do Brasil, and other distinguished guests, as well as nearly 300 BLIA officials and members from various countries in South America, attended the event.

The scriptures of the South America Ullambana Merit Transfer Dharma Service & Sangha Day Celebration were recited in both Chinese and Portuguese. Following this, a procession of offering composed of executives from various country associations presented diligently prepared gift baskets and delicious food with great devotion.

The Sons of Zu Lai choir performed the song "The Story of Venerable Master Hsing Yun." photo／The Life News Agency

This year, BLIA Brazil arranged a "Memorial Service of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Founding Master of Fo Guang Shan" to commemorate the beloved Venerable Master Hsing Yun with the theme "Sounds of the Human World". The Sons of Zu Lai choir performed the song "The Story of Venerable Master Hsing Yun"; the São Paulo First Subchapter choir sang "The Song of Fo Guang Shan"; the Rio de Janeiro First and Second Subchapters recited "Star & Cloud"; the São Paulo Sixth Subchapter performed "My hometown is at Fo Guang Shan."; the Recife Subchapter sang "Song of the Ten Practices and Cultivations"; and BLIA YAD Brazil sang the "Praise to the Master" composed by Venerable Man Le, followed by BLIA Brazil's "Singing Praises to the Master". Through videos and songs, they collectively remembered Venerable Master Hsing Yun, offering their most sincere musical homage to the venerables.

BLIA Brazil arranged a "Memorial Service of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Founding Master of Fo Guang Shan" to commemorate the beloved Venerable Master Hsing Yun. photo／The Life News Agency

During his speech, Kuang-jong Fong mentioned that natural disasters and social unrest have been frequent worldwide nowadays, and he expressed gratitude to Fo Guang Shan for bringing a sense of stability to society. Angela, on behalf of the Mayor of Cotia, Rogerio, extended her blessings to the venerables.

São Paulo Sixth Subchapter performed "My hometown is at Fo Guang Shan." photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Hui Chuan, the Executive Vice Abbot of Fo Guang Shan, delivered a video message to explain the significance of Filial Piety Month and announced that Venerable Miao You has been appointed as FGS South America Chief Abbess. Venerable Miao You expressed gratitude for being entrusted with this important responsibility by FGS Monastery. She pledged to uphold Fo Guang Shan's principles of "Work by collective effort, lead by a system, do what is in accordance with Buddha, and rely on nothing but the Dharma." She also expressed her commitment to learn from the experiences of her predecessors and continue leading the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism in South America.

At the conclusion of the Dharma Service & Sangha Day Celebration, following ancient traditions, an Alms Procession ceremony was held. Joyfully, the attendees placed their offerings into the Field of Merit, marking the successful completion of the Dharma service.

The South America Ullambana Merit Transfer Dharma Service & Sangha Day Celebration concluded successfully. photo／The Life News Agency