On Sunday, April 6th, Than Hsiang Temple held a Ching Ming Dharma Assembly on the fifth floor, which was also livestreamed simultaneously on YouTube. On that day, the temple was bustling with people, and everyone arrived early to pray to the Buddha, offer flowers, and light lamps. The fifth floor Dharma Assembly venue was particularly filled with many elderly people who were sincerely and wholeheartedly reciting the Buddha's name, awaiting the start of the ceremony.

The Dharma Assembly commenced at approximately 1:00 PM. Before it began, a video of the “Travel Together” Youth Buddhist Growth Camp was played to warmly welcome everyone to actively register for the camp. Then, the emcee praised everyone for their aspiration to participate in the Dharma Assembly organized by Than Hsiang Temple, using the Three Period Recitation Dharma Service to remember and commemorate the kindness of their loved ones. To benefit everyone with the Dharma, the emcee relayed the reminders of Most Venerable Wei Wu, guiding us on how to attend the Dharma Assembly with the correct mindset.

Firstly, we shall first try to develop a sincere and pious mind; calm down our wandering mind. We shall develop a caring and compassionate mind towards both our living and deceased parents. After that, we should broaden our compassion and care to include all sentient beings. Most Venerable Wei Wu also reminded the congregation to sincerely pray for the compassionate blessings of the Triple Gem, so that all sentient beings, our parents, may receive the supreme merits of today's Dharma Assembly and be liberated from suffering to attain happiness. At the same time, before participating in the Dharma Assembly, we should do our best to avoid any activities that may distract us or disturb our peace of mind.

During the main practice of the Dharma Assembly, we should focus on three points: we shall fully participate in the ceremony; we will visualize all Buddhas and members of the Arya Sangha are present here in this hall to receive the offerings and bestows blessings; we will also visualize our parents and all sentient beings receiving the benefits of the offering to the Buddha and Sangha.

As for the concluding part after the Dharma Assembly, we shall contemplate that we had been planting bad karma in the past and now seek to follow the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. We shall then transfer the merits to all sentient beings and aspire to follow the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva as our role model in helping beings in lower realms.

The Dharma Assembly was attended by approximately five hundred people, everyone chanted sincerely with focused minds. After the first period of the Three Period Recitation, Venerable Zhen Ru gave a Dharma talk, explaining the origin and significance of the Ching Ming Festival, as well as the meaning of the Three Period Recitation.

After the Dharma talk, there was a mid-session break, and the canteen had prepared some refreshments for everyone. The second and third periods of the Three Period Recitation Dharma Service commenced at 4:00PM. Everyone who present at the venue and participating online were filled with Dharma joy.

At the conclusion of the Three Period Recitation Dharma Service, the organizing committee expressed gratitude to all parties who contributed to this auspicious occasion. Also, we wish everyone growth in their wholesome roots, good progress in their spiritual practice, abundant Dharma joy, peace, and auspiciousness. Amitabha.

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More photos: https://www.thanhsiang.org/ch/node/6458
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