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Presents2014-06-24
This year, Honoring Elders’ Day at GSM was held on September 29th . Five bhikkhus from CTTB led the recitation of the Universal Door Chapter. Upon conclusion, Dharma Master Heng Yun gave the welcoming remarks. She mentioned, first of all, the various preparations by the Dharma Masters and the lay people to make this event possible. For example: the pickup and drop-off services, packing the presents, food preparations, getting books ready for free circulation – all this expresses “welcome”. Besides that, the temple gave a very meaningful and important gift – the gift of reciting the Universal Door Chapter of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. She said that there is a “Avalokitesvara” in the heart of every one of us. We are like “Avalokitesvara” when we are kind and wise; we are not when we lose temper. She encouraged us to be pleasant and kind everyday; to be mindful of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva at every moment; and to put this into action. She urged us to be in frequent contact with Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva so as to develop deep affinity. That way, one day we will become “Avalokitesvara”.
In the majestic Buddha hall, the elders sat and listened to the talks given by the joyous Dharma Master Jin Fan – it was a very heartfelt moment. This was his third appearance in the GSM Elders’ Day. The celebration reminded him of his 90-year old mother in Taiwan. He said, “However old the parents are, they think of their children. As mentioned in the “Sutra about the Deep Kindness of Parents and the Difficulty in Repaying it : “The 100-year old mother worries about her 80-year child.” She worries if her child dresses warm enough and if her child is happy or not. This is human nature.” He further said, “Parents are our Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva at home. The Universal Door Chapter just recited tells us that sincere and true faith in Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva will help us come across perils.” When reciting Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, we will receive responses only with complete faith.
As with prior years, there were performances during lunch time. The first performance, Shu Lai Bao for the Health of Body and Mind, was given by Baozhu Wu, teacher of the Sunday school. Her deep and vigorous voice made the elders forget the delicacies on their plates. Even the service volunteers paused to watch her performance, which won warm applause. Allen Huang who came to help from San Francisco sang three favorite old songs, “Looking for plum blossoms in the snow”, “Country Roads”, as well as “A Small Town Story”. His performances were warmly received. Participants of the Elders’ Study Group, led by Ms. Meihua, performed three songs. Ages sixties through nineties, their diligent efforts were truly moving! “The Silver Pagoda and the Gold Pagoda”, a story rewritten by Mr. Fang Zhiqin, was played by both the former and current students of the Sunday school. The kids’ lively performance was highly praised.
After watching the performances, the elders were eager to hit the Q&A raffle session – not only for the prizes but also for the joy of giving the right answer. Every year at this moment, the touching feeling of gratitude arises in my heart. Who would have thought of such a way to enlighten elderly people, which deepened the meaning of this day? I believe that Venerable Master Hua was looking over all of us with delight.
The Honoring Elders’Day concluded amid blessings from the Dharma Masters. All elders, carrying presents respectfully prepared in the temple, headed home with great satisfaction.
