In celebration of Lingyen Mountain Temple (Canada)’s 22nd anniversary, the temple held the Aranya Offering to the Sangha Event. A total of 58 monasteries in the Greater Vancouver area were invited to participate, with representatives from the Southern, Northern, Tibetan, and other Buddhist traditions. 127 Dharma Masters from 30 monasteries accepted offerings from this event. Volunteers of the temple’s Community-Based Organizations delivered the offerings to the participating monasteries. All of the Dharma Masters were full of joy and gratitude to receive offerings from people all over the world, especially during the pandemic. It was particularly moving to feel the sense of mutual care and concern among the monasteries. Starting at 8:00am on September 19, the day of the temple’s anniversary, the Ullambana Offering Ceremony and Dedication of Merits was streamed online. In the afternoon, there was a Grand Mengshan Food Bestowal, during which the meritorious virtues of making offerings to the Buddha and the Sangha were dedicated toward the benefit of all sentient beings.

Before the ceremony, there were two themed videos, titled “2021 Aranya Offering to the Sangha” and “In Praise of the Sangha”. In the first video, we see how the volunteers from the various Community-Based Organizations sincerely and respectfully delivered offerings to the participating Dharma Masters. The Dharma Masters also made audio and video recordings of their prayers for all the benefactors to enjoy peace, auspiciousness, and move forward in their Bodhi path. “In Praise of the Sangha” is a video of made by lay practitioners of the temple, in which they use different languages to express their respect and gratitude toward the Sangha Treasure. They thank the Dharma Masters for leaving their home life to dedicate their entire lives to propagating the Buddhadharma, engaging in self-cultivation, and benefiting others. This video also includes a touching performance of the song, “In Praise of the Sangha” , by volunteers and Buddhist Youth of Lingyen Mountain Temple (Canada).

Before the ceremony, our Abbot, Venerable Master Tze Cheng, discussed how the truths of the universe are shared through people, and that is the only way more people will understand it. Therefore, the Buddha instructed his disciples to establish the Sangha assembly. Over two or three thousand years of hard work by virtuous Masters, the Buddhadharma has been transmitted all over the world. We are fortunate to be able to hear the Buddha’s awakened teachings in the 21st century. The Buddha often emphasized the significance of the Three Treasures. The Venerable Abbot discussed two ways to ensure the lasting presence of the Three Treasures in the world: by means of internal and external giving. External giving is when we use material items to make offerings in support of the Three Treasures, so that they can be settled in their cultivation of the Way, and be free of obstacles in their propagation of the Buddhadharma.

There are two types of internal giving. The first kind is giving our sincere intention to support, protect, and carry on the Three Treasures. The second kind is giving with our bodies. Apart from helping out as a volunteer, we can also personally take part in the Three Treasures. The Three Treasures require people with all kinds of skills and abilities, and especially youthful energy. Only by carrying it on through the generations will we prevent the Sangha treasure from falling apart, and ensure the continuation of the Buddhadharma. The Venerable Abbot also thanked all of the Dharma Masters who accepted the offerings from this event, and wished them good health and longevity, so that they will continue the Buddhist lineage in this world. He also followed and rejoiced in the meritorious virtues of the volunteers, who contributed their time and energy to deliver the offerings to each of the participating monasteries.

The ceremony consisted of two parts, the first being “Purification and Sutra Recitation”, presided over by Dharma Master Tze Song. After reciting the Great Compassion Mantra and purifying the Hall, the Ullambana Sutra and the Sutra of the Meritorious Virtues of the Sangha were recited, along with the Mantra to Repay the Kindness of our Parents. The merits were dedicated to the transcendence of our parents in past lifetimes, and the everlasting health and happiness of our parents in the present life. We also prayed that the pandemic will soon subside, people’s minds will be at ease, and the world be at peace. The second part was the Ullambana Offering Ceremony. Ullambana is a term that means “to save those who are upside down, and relieve their suffering”. During this ceremony, we offer bowls of food to the Buddha and the Sangha, and pray that the Three Treasures will save sentient beings suffering in the hells. After presenting the offerings and chanting the praises, the presiding Dharma Master and leading Ceremonial Masters respectfully recited the Declaration of Merits. The merits and virtuous roots generated from the entire ceremony were dedicated toward repaying the Four Kindnesses above, and saving the Six Paths below, so that the living will enjoy blessings, happiness, and longevity, and the deceased will be free of suffering and transcend [to a better realm].