Ocean Sky Chan Monastery hold ceremonies every month and on special occasons and events. These ceremonies consist of many elements. Newcomers may not be familiar with the rituals but the Dharma Masters are available to answer any questions.
Inviting the Celebrant Master
We first invite the Abbess into the Chan Hall to conduct the ceremony. The assembly joins their palms to express their deep reverence to the Three Jewels (the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha)
Bows and Prostrations
The question is often asked, “Why do people prostrate to the Buddha; are they worshipping the statue or the person?”
Bowing and prostrating help us overcome our egoism and arrogance. They show our deep respect to the Buddha for his qualities such as compassion, concentration, and wisdom, and inspire us to develop these qualities ourselves.
Sutra Chanting
Sutras are a part of the Buddhist liturgy. By chanting the sutras together, we purify our karma, cultivate a pure mind, dedicate our merits to all sentient beings, and pray for world peace.
Offerings
An offering is a practice in giving; it reduces our greed and helps cultivate our compassion. During the ceremony we make lamp, flower, and incense offerings.
· Lamp symbolizes our intrinsic wisdom. The light of wisdom dispels the darkness of ignorance.
· Flowers symbolize the impermanence of this life. We appreciate their transient beauty and learn to be mindful of each moment.
· Incense symbolizes spiritual cleansing or purifying as well as the fragrance of pure moral conduct. The fragrance of the incense permeates all the worlds, imparting blessings to all beings.
Etiquette
A ceremony is an opportunity to cultivate our Buddhist practice and to dedicate merits to all sentient beings. Reverence and gratitude for the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha are integral aspects of Buddhist etiquette.
To know more about Ocean Sky Chan Monastery, its activities and programs, call to register and inquire:
Ocean Sky Chan Monastery
716 Jose Abad Santos St., Little Baguio,
San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
TEL :(632)723-6132
FAX: (632)722-4400
Reference: Buddha Gate Monastery
