Ceremony Thanking the Alter for Medicine Buddha Sutra and Releasing Creature

In the morning, on Feb. 11th, 2017 (Jan. 15th Lunar Rooster Year), the Ceremony Thanking the Alter for Medicine Buddha Sutra and Releasing Creature in early lunar new year organized in Hoa Phuc pagoda after a week of reciting Medicine Buddha Sutra to wish country and people in security, a peaceful world and joyful beings.

Junior Venerable Thich Tam Hoa, abbot the Hoa Phuc pagoda and monks in the monastery and more than 1,000 Buddhists from far and near came to witness at the ceremony.

 After the incense ritual of Buddha recitation, the mass concentrated on reciting Medicine Buddha Sutra under Junior Venerable Thich Tam Hoa's guidance. The Junior Venerable on his compassionate mind had a short sermon on meaning of the Medicine Buddha Sutra.

 

They had causal condition to know more clearly about the Medicine Buddha's power of vow mentioned in Sutra as well as the way to practice in order to achieve the whole merit and to meet responding to appeal, fulfilment from His power of vows.

 

In desire to establish the Medicine Buddha's altar for wishing country and people in security, two advantage in negative and positive , after concluding to recite sutra at altar, the bodhimandala followed the Junior Venerable's footsteps to go round the pagoda in meditative walking and reciting the Buddha's name; then a ceremony to release living creatures organized at the Arhat yard in front of the gate of pagoda. The ceremory solemnly occured under the support, vows from monks and Buddhists. Creatures such as fishes, shrimps, crabs, snails,.......which had enough causes to meet Buddha Dharma; they were taken refuge in Triratna, redeemed their lives and released at the foot of Vinh Thinh bridge for returning to the nature. The happiness has spread out over the bodhimandala in the early days of spring, on each of buddhist's face was a limitless pleasure because of their contribution by little pure money to redeem the lives of creatures, saving them to escape from frying and grilling in the pan; the merit was really countless and boundless.

Here are some images recorded:

Translated into English by Ms. Giac Ngoc