To commemorate Buddha’s Parinirvana Day, Than Hsiang Temple held a noon offering ceremony on April 2, 2026, in the Main Shrine Hall. That day coincided with the fifteenth day of the second lunar month, the very date of Buddha’s Parinirvana. From early morning, many devotees came to the temple to offer lights and pay homage to the Buddha in the Great Compassion Hall. They also visited the Than Hsiang Canteen to enjoy the special offerings of the day—Jawa noodles, economy rice, and assorted pastries.

At approximately 10:45 a.m., the noon offering ceremony formally began. As usual, the Sangha members led everyone in chanting. After the ceremony, Venerable Zhen Xin announced that on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the day before Avalokitesvara’s birthday, Than Hsiang Temple would hold a Taking Refuges & Five Precepts ceremony at 2:00 p.m. In addition, on April 6, 2026, a series of activities would take place: at 9:30 a.m., an ordination ceremony in the Main Shrine Hall on the sixth floor; at 10:45 a.m., a noon offering ceremony in the Great Compassion Hall on the ground floor; and at 8:00 p.m., Pu Men Pin On-site Cultivation in the Great Compassion Hall.

Following Venerable Zhen Xin’s announcement, the Sangha members led everyone to the Yan Sheng Tan in the Great Compassion Hall for the dedication, and then to the San Sheng Dian for subsequent dedication ceremonies. As the dedication ceremonies concluded, the noon offering ceremony for Buddha’s Parinirvana Day officially ended.

The Buddha’s Parinirvana symbolizes the impermanence of the world; even the Buddha had to experience the impermanence of birth (Jāti) and death (Marana). Although the Buddha has entered Parinirvana, his teachings continue to guide all sentient beings toward enlightenment.

Among the Dharma that the Buddha left behind are texts such as the Sūtra of Praise of the Pure Land Received from the Buddhas (称赞净土佛摄受经) and the Amitābha Sūtra（佛说阿弥陀经）. The Sūtra of Praise of the Pure Land Received from the Buddhas belongs to the category of “self-proclaimed sūtras,” meaning it was expounded by the Buddha without being prompted by a disciple’s question.

So, what does this sūtra mainly teach? In Most Venerable Wei Wu’s Dharma talk on the Sūtra of Praise of the Pure Land Received from the Buddhas, he emphasized that while diligently reciting the Buddha’s name, practitioners must also be endowed with the three essential provisions of faith, aspiration, and practice. Most Venerable Wei Wu compared the old translation of the Amitābha Sūtra with the new version of the Sūtra of Praise of the Pure Land Received from the Buddhas, clarifying how Buddhas of the ten directions all extol the supreme merits of the Pure Land. Most Venerable Wei Wu’s Dharma talk on this sūtra will also be compiled and published in May, to be shared with the public. Amitabha!

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More photos:https://thanhsiang.org/CH/node/6920
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