May, 2013 | Guang Huan Mi Zong

Cosmic Halo – Love and Compassion

“It is the love bestowed by Mahavairocana Buddha.” The words of Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi were just like a light beam, shining on my heart. Tears filled my eyes, as I felt the blessing and protection given by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

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During the observance of the Holy Birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha a magnificent and colorful cosmic halo appeared over the Western Shrine. The tremendous halo was radiating incredible energy and covering the whole shrine.

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Witnessing this incomparably glorious image, all students and disciples were filled with joy. Some new comers asked with curiosity, why this unbelievable phenomenon would appear? The Honorable Master answered, it was because the Western Shrine is the holy land for the assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Therefore when it comes time for celebration and ceremony, blessing will be bestowed by compassionate Buddhas.

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Then I remembered the first time I saw the cosmic halo was during the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha five years ago. Since then, I have seen this wonderful sight many times, when the Five World Buddhas Sanctuaries were under construction, when we were practicing supreme Inner Fire Dharma, and when celebrating the birthday of Mahavairocana Buddha. I believed it was made by the inexhaustible holy blessing of Mahavairocana Buddha. Due to the incomparable causes and conditions within, Guang Huan Mi Zong was born from the cosmic halo, for the people and for the world.

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The compassion and love of Buddha exists everywhere in the universe. Crossing all the boundaries of ethnic, language, country, time and space, this great love of Buddha has no limitation. Trying to understand it just through human vision would never be enough. Only through the heart could someone answer the calls from the deepest part of his soul. Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi manifests this unparalleled compassion and love to all beings in the Saha World through through his action – teaching the Dharma, which offers practitioners the precious chance to obtain health and wisdom.

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Spectacular Buddha’s Birthday Celebration

On April 8^th of the Buddhist calendar, Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi, founder of Guang Huan Mi Zong Buddhism, held a Spectacular Birthday Celebration for Shakyamuni Buddha in the magnificent Goddess of Mercy Temple located in Amsterdam, New York.

Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi made his opening speech: “The birth of Shakyamuni Buddha 2,500 years ago ignited the whole world. He renounced his throne, and abandoned all his possessions in order to pursue the path of Enlightenment. His whole life was light for the liberation and salvation of human beings.”

After that, Holy Master had his disciple, with a walking stick and a bowl, demonstrate the style that Shakyamuni Buddha’s followers used in that era for disseminating the message of brightness. “We pay our highest tribute to the Buddha to commemorate his profound compassion, and we should follow his example to help others, to let them have the chance to attain achievement through cultivating the Dharma.” said Holy Master.

Holy Master emphasized world peace, human health, and religious harmony can eventually be achieved one day, through diligent endeavor.

The opening performance was a fantastic lion dance, featuring unique and powerful movements. The project “International Lion Dance Performance Training for the Youth” launched by World Culture and Art Association Inc. offers young people innovative lion dance training, to express creativity and freedom. Dancing lions are the symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune, which bring excitement and joy to the audience and the entire celebration.

A Marine and Buddhist monk made a speech to thank Holy Ziguang Shang Shi for helping him restore his health and guiding him find the direction of life. He sang a song in Chinese, expressing the wish for all those who are seeking a home for their souls could return to where they belong.

Two young Mormons on mission were invited onto the stage and sang a beautiful hymn. They expressed their desire of cooperating in the mission of religious harmony.

The exquisite dance of “Thousand-arm Goddess of Mercy” reflected the compassion and love of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Gods for human beings. The guests were amazed by the wonderful performances including Buddhist mantra chant, Chinese martial arts, folk songs and dance.

The celebration was followed by a ceremony of bathing the baby Buddha statue in the Five World Buddhas Temple, and ended with a dinner buffet serving delicious eastern and western food in the picturesque Western Shrine.