LIANG HUANG REPENTANCE SERVICE
FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL
The Liang Huang Repentance was chanted daily from April 6 to 13 during the Ching Ming Festival. This service was presided by Abbess Ven. Tien Inn, Ven. Wai Ching from Los Angeles, Ven. Yin Bin and Ven. Hui Ji from Taiwan. They were cordially invited to lead the chanting service together with Resident
Venerables, whereby about 250 people participated.
The service started at 9:00am daily with the assembly of lay followers bowing as each Buddha’s name in the Liang Huang Repentance were chanted. This is followed by Offerings to the Buddhas at 11:00am. After that, they were first instructed to chant the Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) name repeatedly before being seated. Then vegetarian lunch boxes were distributed to all participants. Next, each will put their palms together ro recite the Meal Offering Verse before eating.
The Repentance Service resumed at 1:30pm, followed by chanting of a volume from “The Past Vows of Ksitigarbha (Earth Store) Bodhisattva Sutra” and finally ending with a short offering service for the hungry ghosts.
On April 12, a Refuge Taking Ceremony for the Deceased was conducted at 4:00pm. This requires a family representative to repeat the Threefold Refuge Verse on behalf of their deceased family member. Whereby, the deceased will more likely to have favourable conditions for attaining Enlightenment through the guidance and inspiration of the Triple Gem in a future life.
The last day April 13 started off with Homage to the 88 Buddhas assembly followed by Offerings to the Buddhas ceremony. Apart from the usual offerings, a set of ten specially prepared Offerings consisting of incense, flowers, light, water, fruit, tea, food, jewel, robe and sutra were also presented. Afterthat, a simple ceremonial send off for the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
At 2:00pm after lunch, the AmitabhaTriple Contemplation Service washeld and was presided by Abbess Ven.Tien Inn, Ven. Tien Yung and Ven. Yin Bin. This service include chanting of the Amitabha Sutra three times, Dharma propagation of rebirth in the Amitabha’s Western Pureland and Offerings, all mainly to benefit the deceased and sentient beings from the Hungry Ghost Realm. The entire service ended at 7:00pm with the dedication of merits to all in our spiritual endeavors.
