[Video] Groundbreaking Ceremony of the 1250 Stairs and Holy Mountain Arch

On April 30, 2015, Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi held a grand groundbreaking ceremony at the Holy Mountain Buddha Land for the 1250 Stairs and the Holy Mountain Arch. It is one of the most important construction projects for developing the Holy Mountain. Holy Master gave a speech at the ceremony on the meaning of this construction project: “The 1250 Stairs of the Holy Mountain Buddha Land pave the way to the Land of Bliss. People call it ‘The Stairway to Heaven’. In the future, thousands of people will enter our Buddha Land through the Stairs and the Holy Mountain Arch, enter the Heaven on earth. The path to Heaven is the path to freedom the path to health and the path of liberation from suffering.”

People who attended the Ceremony received blessings from Holy Master. They burned incense and prayed together with the hope that the World Peace, Human Health and Religious Harmony which Guang Huan Mi Zong promotes can be realized soon.

Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi announced that the appearance of Holy Mountain Buddha Land in the world is a great chance given to people by the Five World Buddhas. As long as one wants to, one can come to the Holy Mountain to share happiness and be relieved from suffering.

By Elise

[Video] Blessing and Soul Releasing Dharma Convention for Nepal Earthquake

On April 28, 2015, compassionate Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi showed his deepest condolences to the victims of the Nepal earthquake and led the disciples to hold a Soul Releasing Dharma Convention at the Holy Mountain Buddha Land, chanting Guang Huan Mi Zong secret mantra to relieve the souls of the dead in the disaster and give blessings to the survivors.

“…We wish the dead in the earthquake could be reborn soon and embrace happiness and peace in their next life. Also wish they could be reborn in the Heaven on earth the Holy Mountain Buddha Land.”

Holy Master also announced to donate HK$200,000 for earthquake relief and spend another HK$300,000 on purchasing Buddhist dharma instruments and statues from Nepal.

By Elise

A Somber Occasion

Article and Photos by Skrocki

The devastating Nepal quake last weekend has left over five thousand dead, thousands more unaccounted for, and hundreds of people stranded 20,000 feet on Mount Everest. Reports state the death toll could rise to over 10,000 people. The earthquake, registering 7.8 on the Richter scale, has obliterated homes, ancient temples, and historical landmarks. Nepal is seeing devastation on levels never before imagined, according to reports.

The Buddhist World Peace and Health Organization held a memorial service this morning, for those killed in the Nepal earthquake, at the Western Supreme Buddha Temple in the Town of Glen, New York. This was not the usual celebration held by the Chinese Buddhists as the thought of the death and destruction in Nepal weighed heavily on the hearts and minds of the Buddhist monks and students. You could see it in their faces as they entered the temple in a funeral procession. As Elise translated the message of Buddhist leader, Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi, I felt the same wave of sadness and concern. A gong sounded the start, middle and end of the service. In memory of those who died in Nepal and to help those who were injured, the monks and students chanted a 100 word mantra to the beat of a wooden percussion instrument carved in the image of a fish. Through prayer and meditation the participants sent to the departed what they believe to be a part of themselves attained through merit or good deeds to help their spirits pass on to be reborn in a better life.

Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi emphasized the cultural importance of Nepal, its rich history and influence on the practice of Buddhism in our world today. He announced that the WPHO will be donating $200,000 HK dollars through its Hong Kong affiliate to help with Nepal recovery efforts. In addition the WPHO will be purchasing $300,000 HK dollars worth of Dharma instruments and Buddhist statues from Nepal to help it recover economically.

The service ended with the same orderly procession that it began with, the WPHO members reserving this day for prayer and meditation.

The Apple

Article and Photos by Skrocki

Tuesday, April 7, 2015, the World Peace and Health Organization celebrated the Goddess of Mercy on Grove Street in Amsterdam, New York. Quan Yin is what the Chinese Buddhists call the Goddess of Mercy. Often depicted as the Goddess with 1000 arms because of her self-less dedication to help others and to remain in the earthly realm worlds until all other living things have completed their own enlightenment and thus become liberated from the pain-filled cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Buddhist Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi spoke to the gathering of WPHO staff and students yesterday, encouraging them to emulate Quan Yin and to get rid of ego that will block their path to enlightenment. Apples were passed out to the congregation and the spiritual leader marveled at nature’s perfection. The apple tree with it’s many branches was not unlike the many arms of Quan Yin, reaching out and producing a product that relieves the pangs of hunger. He reminded the students that the farmer coats the apple with wax to prevent it from deteriorating and so must they continue to practice the Guang Huan Mi Zong Health Dharma to keep their bodies healthy so they can continue their mission of promoting world health, peace and harmony. It is not enough, Shi emphasized, to practice (meditate) and become energized unless you use that energy to selflessly help others.

The Year of the Ram

Article and Photos by Skrocki

Amsterdam’s World Peace and Health Organization celebrated Chinese New Year today at the Goddess of Mercy Temple on Grove Street. 2015, according to the Chinese astrological charts, is the year of the Ram. Visitors from as far as New York City as well as Amsterdam residents attended the simple ceremony. Guests were invited to light an incense stick and make a wish for the new year on front of an ornate wall composed of over 1000 images of Buddha. After the incense lighting, guests gathered around a table of traditional sweet treats that all had symbolic meanings. Jennie Wong explained the cultural tradition of the Chinese New Year celebration after which, guests travelled to the Five World Buddha Temple on East Main Street to receive a 2015 Chinese calendar screen printed on bound bamboo. Buddhist Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi was noticeably absent from today’s ceremony.

https://gskrocki.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/the-year-of-the-ram/