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A MESSAGE FROM
VENERABLE MASTER HSING YUN |
| Distinguished
guests, guests and everyone in attendance at tonight’s charity dinner.
I, Hsing Yun, am speaking to you from Hsi Lai Temple via
videotape recorded earlier this week. I am very grateful to each and every one of you and ask you
to accept my sincerest apology for not being here tonight.
Last month I led a group of teachers and students from Fo Guang
Shan Monastic College on a Buddhist Musical Tour in Europe.
On my way back to Taiwan, I had planned to stop at Los Angeles to
attend tonight’s “Songs of Compassion Charity Dinner”, as I could
not refuse an invitation from event organizers, Aria Wang and Thomas
Kao. However, Taiwan was
hit by a massive killer quake, which has touched the most inner part of
my being. I have no other
choice but to return to Taiwan at the earliest possible date. I apologize to everyone here tonight and leave with you my
utmost respect and gratitude.
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| Tonight’s charity dinner is a
very meaningful event because the caring of life is vital to today’s
society. It is an issue of
great concern for our time. In
Buddhism, there are two concepts: the concept of self-benefit and the
concept of benefits for others. For
example, by attending tonight’s event, you are receiving benefits for
yourself because you are able to have a nice dinner, to enjoy fine
entertainment and to make new friends.
On the other hand, you are bringing benefits to others through
your compassion, your principles, your collective relief efforts and
your concerns for another person’s life.
Therefore, benefiting oneself and benefiting others are two of
the most wonderful things in life. |
| Our
performers tonight, Sammo Hung, Bai Bing Bing, Hsiu Nai Ling, Yu Tai
Yang, Yung Huai Ming and Wang Hsueh-O, have come a great distance to
entertain you for the sake of bringing joy into your lives.
They also hope that you will be able to focus your attention on
the task of caring for all living beings.
During last month’s devastating earthquake in Taiwan, thousands
of people have lost their lives in writing this chapter of our history.
Hence, we must have loving-kindness and compassion in helping the
people of Taiwan to rebuild a better and a more beautiful homeland.
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| I
sincerely believe that everyone in attendance tonight is doing something
meaningful and of great significance.
On behalf of Hsi Lai Temple and Buddha’s Light International
Association, Los Angeles Chapter, I would like to thank each and every
one of you.
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