[:en]New Year[:zh]新年法會[:]

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Reflections on the New Year’s Ceremony
by Anonymous

As I drove up the hill to the monastery I felt joy and calm, my breathing slowing down as I entered the now familiar setting. The Chan Hall was so festive, red and white flowers, lanterns, as well as the adornments for the Guan Yin Memorial Ceremony.

I feel so grateful to the Dharma masters and everyone associated with Buddha Gate to have this jewel practically in my backyard. The chanting, the Abbess’s talk, the feeling of being with others who also resolve to clear their minds of delusions and strive to have a clear mind,truly makes this a joyful New Year!

Reflection on the Chinese New Year at BGM
by Darlene Cioffi-Pangilla (Chuan Ling)

Entering the Chan Hall, we are welcomed with thoughtfully planned flower arrangements and altar adornments. Greeting us was the traditional Chinese New year color of red. Red everywhere: symbolizing for me compassion, strength and power (power in the sense of coming in touch with my True Nature).

As we chanted through the liturgy, I could feel and sense a quieting within the assembly. Evoking the name of Guan Yin, over and over, penetrated the very core of our beings and we relaxed, became calmer. There was peacefulness inside. Peace in my “core”, peace in the assembly’s “core”, peace in the Chan Hall and peace hopefully in the world (if for only an instant peace happened).

As I chanted and was mindful of Guan Yin’s name, I recalled the names of those I had “blessing tablets” prepared for. I knew they, too, were being heard and their needs met because of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva’s great, pure vows and skill in responding in all places.

Reflections on New Year Celebration
by Julia De Rienzo

When reflecting on the Lunar New year, it becomes clear that my priorities have changed compared to those of previous years. Many years ago, my New year’s resolutions were filled with “should and have to” often rather self centered. However, this New Year comes as a surprise to me not so much because of the things that need to be done but for what has already been accomplished. Looking back at the past year, I was filled with gratitude not only because I am blessed with a wonderful family, but also because I have the chance to walk the Buddhist path along with so many incredibly kind companions. Each of them have brought a wealth of experiences for which I am deeply grateful. Their benevolent acceptance of my shortcomings, their persistence in keeping me on the path, their tolerance and their strength is like a mirror which reflects my hopes for myself and for those around me. So this New Year comes with renewed vows, and responsibilities. For each moment is a blessing and each step of the way is joyful and peaceful like clear water.

Reflections on Guan Yin Blessings and New Year Celebration
by Julie and Brian Gyoerkoe

Thank You for such a wonderful way to start and celebrate the New Year. This was our first Guan Yin Blessings and Memorial Ceremony. We felt very welcomed by everyone showing us the rituals and routines. The chanting was one of the loveliest earthly sounds I’ve ever experienced. We left the ceremony feeling rejuvenated and ready for the new year. We feel so fortunate to have Buddha Gate and all the wisdom of the Shi-fu’s as part of our lives.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Reflection upon Entering the Lunar Year 2007 Ceremony at BGM
by Mae Hoag

Looking ahead to the New Year is also an opportunity to look backwards, not only to see where I may be going but to reflect on where I have been. Who I am today is not the person I was yesterday or the person I will be in the future. Sometimes I think I am losing my identity. The lines of demarcation are no longer clearly defined. Who am I? Before practicing Buddhism I read many books on the subject, and I recall a line, “There is no abiding self.” It was a totally new idea. Now I am learning from my experiences at Buddha Gate that all life is in flux and that such a realization, which initially is frightening, can become on a deeper level not only comforting but liberating.

Since being actively engaged in Buddhism the past five years, my life has gradually been a process of letting go—letting go of old patterns and habits that defined my and my universe, letting go of ideas and concepts maintained for security and stability, and letting go of the person I think I am. I am shedding a lifetime of layers, and with the loss of each layer, I become lighter. One can accumulate a lot of baggage over time, which can be an obstacle to the realization of one is Buddha nature.

What would my life become if I had not entered the Bodhi path? I can only assume that my judgmental critical characteristics would have prevailed and that underneath a persona seeking perfectionism, an unfulfilled spiritual yearning would have persisted—a vague feeling that there must be more to life.

I live now increasingly in the present. My life before Buddhism was spent looking ahead to the future or ruminating on the past. There is pleasure in simply being present in my life, right here, right now, accepting what is. I have always had goals which created pressures and drives and to change my attitude about this is not easy. But I have increasing faith in karma, its results and connections, and I see it manifested as my awareness increased. With infinite life and a dedication to the Bodhi path, I can practice with assurance and faith that the Buddha nature within will eventually emerge and follows.

Reflections on New Year Celebration
by Susie Tyrrell

I celebrated Chinese New Year at the Buddha Gate Monastery February 18, 2007. The flowers, the chanting, the candle lighting ceremony were all so beautiful. It gave me a wonderfully positive feeling about the New Year ahead. It gave me an opportunity to honor my loved ones, both alive and deceased. I felt part of a large community all with the same focus. The love and oneness was a perfect way to celebrate this new beginning, the year of the pig. Amitofo.[:zh]

新年法會心得

匿名

 

驅車上山前往佛門寺時,覺得喜悅又平靜,來到這個熟悉的地方,連呼吸都和緩了下來。禪堂一片喜氣洋洋,有紅色和白色的花朶、燈籠、還有觀音祈福法會的裝飾。

我十分感念大眾法師和佛門寺每一位成員,讓我能與這塊寶地為鄰。誦經、住持法師開示、與有志一同要除去中心妄想、尋找真心的大眾齊聚,這真是個喜樂融融的新年。

 

佛門寺的中國新年

Darlene Cioffi-Pangilla (Chuan Ling)

 

進入禪堂,歡迎我們的是設計精美的花藝和佛龕上的裝飾,招呼我們的是傳統中國新年的紅色。紅色環繞四周:象徵著慈悲、堅定和願力(尋求清淨自信的願力)。

誦經之際,我能感覺與領受到會場的沈靜。一次次地誦念觀世音菩薩聖號,打動人心深處,讓我們的心更寬、更平靜。祥和自心中現起。祥和在我心深處、在會眾心底、在禪堂、希望也能在全世界(即使只有瞬間的祥和)。

我至心專誦觀世音菩薩聖號時,憶念著我在消災延壽牌位上所寫的親人。因為觀世音菩薩的清淨弘願和聞聲救苦的慈力,我相信菩薩聽到了他們的心願,也滿了他們的願。

慶祝新年
Julia De Rienzo

 

回想這個中國新年,很清楚自已的生活重點已經跟幾年前不同。多年前,我的新年志願總圍繞在「我應該…,我必須…」這些比較自我中心的事。然而今年沒料想到的是我竟然已經完成了那麼多事,而不是我該要去完成什麼事。回想上一年,中心充滿了感激,不光是因為很幸運地有個美滿的家庭,還因為我有機會跟難能可貴的同學們一起走在佛菩提道上。由衷感謝每位同學分享了他們精彩的人生經歷。他們慈悲地接納我的缺點、不斷幫助我跟上軌道、他們的毅力與願心就像一面鏡子,反映了我對自己以及對身邊人的期望。所以這個新年我有更新的誓願與責任。因為每個刹那都是福報、每個當下猶如清澈的水面般愉悅而平和。

 

觀音祈福新年法會

Julie and Brian Gyoerkoe

 

感謝能以這麼殊勝的方式展開並慶祝新年。這是我們第一次參加觀音祈福法會。引導儀軌和流程的每一位心燈,讓我們感受到了盛情。梵唄是我聽過世上最美妙的聲音之一。法會結束後我們感覺煥然一新、準備好迎向新的一年。我們很慶幸能有佛門寺,而且師父的智慧得以融入我們的生活中。

恭喜發財!

 

佛門寺迎接2007新年法會

Mae Hoag

 

    前瞻新年的同時也是回顧過往的良機,不只可以計畫將要往何處去,也可檢視來時之路。今日的我,不是昨日的我或未來的我。有時覺得我漸漸失去對自己的認知。種種分別的界限不再那麼明顯。我是誰?修習佛法前我看了很多相關主題的書。我想起一段文字:「沒有不變的自我」。這是個全新的觀點。現在我在佛門寺學習到世事無常,這個體悟剛開始會讓人害怕,但它會轉到更深的層次,不只讓人心安,還能讓人解脫。

五年以來積極投入佛門寺,我的人生漸漸成為一段放下的旅程,放下過去畫地自限的種種模式與習慣、放下追求安全和穩定的想法和觀念、放下自以為是的我執。我把人生一層層地放下,每放下一層,我就更自在。隨著時間我們堆積了許多包袱,它們會成為體悟佛性的障礙。

如果沒有走在菩提道上,我的人生會變得如何?我只能想像在追求完美和永不滿足的心靈渴求下,我吹毛求疪的批判性格會是何等強烈,生命中只會有更多的茫然。

我現在愈來愈能活在當下。成為佛教徒之前,我把時間花在追尋未來和反芻過去。單純地活在當下令人愉悅,就在這裏、就是現在、接受當下。過去我總是設定了增加自己壓力和驅動力的目標,要改變這個心態並不容易。但是我對因緣果報的信念增加了,當我更有覺性,就了悟得更透徹。我帶著決心與信念修行,生生世世行於菩提道,終究能顯發內心本具的佛性。

 

新年法會心得
Susie Tyrrell

 

2007年2月18日我在佛門寺慶祝中國新年。鮮花、梵誦、和燭光,一切是那麼的莊嚴。它帶給我積極正向的信念迎接新年。它讓我有機會對在世和已逝的親人表達敬意。我與有著共同信念的大眾同在。慈愛與和諧是慶祝新春、迎接豬年最好的方式。阿彌陀佛。[:]