The nineteenth day of the second lunar month marks the Guan yin Bodhisattva's birthday. In Buddhism, Guan yin Bodhisattva's birthday is a very important Buddhist Festival. Guan yin symbolizes “great compassion and the spirit of relieving suffering." Therefore, whenever sentient beings are in need and recite Guan yin Bodhisattva's name, the bodhisattva will respond and comes to their aid.

On this auspicious day, many people visit the Buddhist temples such as Than Hsiang Temple,engaging in practices like offering LED lights, worshipping the Buddha,eating vegetarian meals, participating in noon offering session and chanting the "Universal Gateway Sūtra《普门品》" performing act of charity and doing good deeds to pray for peace, health, and the growth of wisdom and merit.

Taking Three Refuges and Five Precepts
To commemorate Guan yin Bodhisattva's birthday, Than Hsiang Temple held the Three Refuges and Five Precepts ceremony on April 5, 2026 (the day before the festival) in the Great Compassion Hall.

At 2p.m. the pre-ceremony rehearsal was held and guided by two sisters through Buddhism etiquette, demonstrating bowing prostrations, and respectful gestures.

After the rehearsal, the Sanghas led everyone in chanting the "Incense Offering Praise"and the “Great Compassion Mantra."

Following was a compassionate Dharma talk by abbot Venerable Zhen Sheng. Venerable emphasized that taking refuge in Triple Gem (Buddha as teacher,Dharma as truth, Sangha as companions) is the foundation of Buddhist practice. The five precepts (abstain from killing, abstain from stealing, abstain from sexual misconduct,abstain from lying, abstain from intoxicants), form the ethical basis of Buddhism.

In addition, Venerable also mention the benefit of observing them include in this life, one will be peace of mind, family harmony, success in work. In future lives,one will be avoiding rebirth in lower realms, gaining human existence. The ultimate goal is forming the foundation for Buddhahood.Even if one breaks a precept, sincere repentance and renewed vows allow continued practice.

In conclusion, Venerable mentioned that "The Three Refuges and Five Precepts are the roots of the Dharma. With deep roots, the tree flourishes. Thus,one should take the Triple Gem as refuge, follow the precepts as the guiding light, and use wisdom as vessel to reach the other shore.

Encouraged by this dharma talk, the participants joyfully received the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, formally becoming Buddhist. The ceremony then concluded with dedication of merit.

The Noon Offering Ceremony
On April 6, 2026 (Guan yin Bodhisattva's birthday), the noon offering ceremony was held in the Great Compassion Hall.

Before the ceremony started, Abbot Venerable Zhen Sheng led everyone in reciting Amitābha Buddha name to calm and focus the mind.

At approximately, 10:45a.m. the Noon Offering ceremony began. Everyone chanted with devotion,
praying for Guan yin Bodhisattva's compassionate blessings.

After the Noon Offering session concluded, the Sanghas led everyone to the “San Sheng Dian" for the dedication of merits, sincerely wishing that ancestors may be reborn into good realms and attain
human existence.

“Pu Men Pin” On-site Cultivation
On the evening of Guan yin Bodhisattva birthday, Than Hsiang Temple also held “Pu Men Pin" On-Site Cultivation at 8p.m.

Before the Chanting started, abbot Venerable Zhen Sheng mentioned that practicing dharma in daily life requires self-transformation to face worldly afflictions positively.Even a smile can be an offering that connects with others, embodying the Bodhisattva's path of benefiting self and others.

Venerable further explained that Guan yin Bodhisattva birthday commemorates the Bodhisattva of great compassion and relief of suffering, whose practice is rooted in the Ear Root Perfect Penetration Method. Therefore, one should contemplate Guan yin Bodhisattva's compassion and vow to emulate it.
Furthermore, Venerable Zhen Sheng mentioned that peace and health are common wishes. However, Dharma emphasized that transforming affliction through practice.Thus, Venerable encouraged everyone to cultivate compassion, vow to help others,and accumulate merit.

After Dharma Talk, the chanting began, led by brahma voice group including circumambulation, taking three refuges and dedicating the merits. The “Pu Men Pin" On -Site Cultivation concluded successfully.

In the upcoming nineteenth day of the sixth lunar month, the Commemoration Day of Guan yin Bodhisattva's attainment of Buddhahood, and the nineteenth day of the ninth lunar month,the Commemoration Day of Guan yin Bodhisattva's renunciation, there will be the "Pu Men Pin" On-site Cultivation at 8 p.m.

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More photos:https://thanhsiang.org/ch/node/6933
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