Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
October 6, 2023

On September 30th, Fo Guang Shan (Singapore) organized a "1000 Prostrations to the Buddha" practice event. Weng Chun-yan, President of Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Singapore Central Area Subchapter, led directors and volunteers in preparing for this event.

This event, which started in 2018, has been welcomed by devotees. Volunteers are divided into various groups, including Flower Exhibition, Shrine Attendant, Fragrance Accumulation, and Buddha's Warrior Attendant.

On the morning of September 30th, around 120 devotees registered and participated in the Flower Offering ceremony at the Main Shrine, calming their minds and bodies. They began practicing, with the venerable leading the congregation in chanting the Buddha's name three times and reciting the Heart Sutra. During the chanting of "Medicine Master Buddha Who Dispels Calamities and Lengthens Life," Venerable Miao Mu, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan (Singapore), led the devotees to offer lamps before the Buddha.

In this practice event, a total of 9 incenses were burned, and the devotees prostrated to the Buddha 112 times with each incense. Altogether, they prostrated to the Buddha 1008 times. Under the guidance of six venerables taking turns, the devotees recited the Buddha's name and prostrated to the Buddha, repenting karmic hindrances and calming their minds and bodies.

Venerable Zhi Zhen explained the etiquette of the Formal Buddhist Meal to devotees. photo／The Life News Agency

Since most participants were having a Formal Buddhist Meal for the first time, Venerable Zhi Zhen explained the etiquette of the Formal Buddhist Meal, encouraging everyone to cultivate a mind of gratitude and avoid discrimination. Venerable Miao Mu expounded that Prostrating to the Buddha is not just about letting go of the physical body but also letting go of arrogance. Chanting the Buddha’s Name is not just about the sound; it is about purifying one's own heart. Chanting the Buddha’s Name once can accumulate countless merits, and prostrating to the Buddha once can repent karmic hindrances. Human afflictions arise from self-attachment; by prostrating to the Buddha 1000 times, self-attachment can be eliminated. Venerable Miao Mu hoped that the devotees would cherish their affinity, contemplate in front of the Buddha, and purify their Three Types of Karma: physical karma, verbal karma, and mental karma, through a pure and grateful heart in their practice.

5 children participated in the "1000 Prostrations to the Buddha" practice event. photo／The Life News Agency

This year's "1000 Prostrations to the Buddha" practice attracted 5 children, and some participants have been attending since the first edition. Devotees praised the merits of this activity and the etiquette of the Buddhist Formal Meal. They were deeply grateful for the efforts of Fo Guang Shan (Singapore) and the volunteers, which made them feel pure in body and mind, immersed in the joy of the Dharma. After the successful completion of the event, Venerable You Hong, Superintendent of Fo Guang Shan (Singapore), expressed great happiness and appreciation for the participating devotees. He distributed gifts to develop affinities with them.

Devotees were deeply grateful for the efforts of Fo Guang Shan (Singapore) and the volunteers. photo／The Life News Agency

The committee members expressed their gratitude for the encouragement from Fo Guang Shan (Singapore), the guidance and leadership of the venerables, the collective efforts of the volunteers, and the years of support and participation from the devotees. These factors contributed to the successful completion of this event.