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the Bodhisattva Hall seats the five great bodhisattvas. Each
represents the exemplary Bodhi spirit the Bodhisattva uses in
helping sentient beings. Hsi Lai Temple hopes that all visiting
devotees emulate their spirits and apply them into their daily
lives in dealing with people and problems. The three doors
of the Bodhisattva Hall symbolize the triple gems of Buddhism.
These are the Buddha, Dharma, and the Sangha. When one
wishes to become a practicing Buddhist, it is commonto take part
in a refuge ceremony. This means to honor the Buddha- not
as a god but as a teacher, the Dharma- as a source of teachings,
and the Sangha- as a community of followers for a source of
strength.
The
Great Wisdom, Manjusri Bodhisattva
Manjusri Bodhisattva represents great wisdom which empowers one
to distinguish the universal morality from all wrong-doings.
By learning the wisdom of Manjusri Bodhisattva, we can
distinguish between morality and perversion, thereby taking
control of our own destiny toward the right path.
The
Great Compassion, Avalokitesvara (Kuan Yin) Bodhisattva
She is the embodiment of great compassion for the affliction and
suffering of the world. She will come to the aid of
anyone who invokes her name. By possessing the compassion
of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, we can be more mindful of our
society and work harder to benefit the welfare of others.
The
Great Benevolence, Maitreya Bodhisattva
Also known as the "happy buddha," he is a symbol of
great benevolence. His universal tolerance toward all
living beings and immense kindness bring an abundance of joy and
hopy to the world. With his kindness and
non-discriminating attitude, Maitreya Bodhisattva is always
tolerant and accommodating. He brings an abundance of joy and
hope to the world.
The
Great Vow, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
He is renowned for his great vow, that of attain Buddhahood only
when hell is empied of all afflicted beings. Ksitigarbha
Bodhisattva's courageous vow serves as an excellent example for
us to emulate. He sets aside his own happiness in order to
liberate others from sufferings.
The
Great Practice, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
He is well known for his great practice. He untiringly
cultivates himself and applies the Dharma teachings for the
benefits of all. By adopting Samantabhadra Bodhisattva's
perseverance in carrying out vows, we can be as steadfast in
applying Buddhist teachings in our daily lives and attempt to
accomplish the task of benefiting the society at large.
Ten
Varieties of Offering
There are ten various choices most often used as offerings to
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as means of expressing respect and
gratitude. The sincere act of making offerings to all Buddhas
and Bodhisattvas can purify our hearts, help us meet congenial
people, enhance our virtuous insights, and lead us to acquire
great wealth.
The
symbolism behind these ten offerings are:
Incense:
To achieve our inner peace; it enriches our Dharma perception.
Flowers: To clean and rid our body of odor; it pleases
the people around us.
Lamps: To brighten our vision; it leads to absolute
wisdom.
Soaps: To soothe and gentle our skin; it prevents the
pain from diseases.
Fruits: To fulfill our wish; it speeds up our path toward
Buddhahood.
Tea: To freshen our breath; it distances us from worries.
Food: To extent the longevity of our lives; it sets free
our articulation skill.
Treasure: To distance us from poverty; it always provides
wealth and good fortune.
Beads: To satisfy our career; it dignifies our
appearance.
Clothes: To realize our shamefulness; it always provides
us security.
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