Dharma Drum Mountain Great Compassion Water & Land Dharma Service — Practice at the Main Altar (Recording)
—Awaken Innate Great Compassion, Pray for All Sentient Beings to Be Free from Suffering –
Master Sheng Yen once said:
“When human minds are in turmoil, so are the spirits and deities. When they are restless, disasters arise. If we can come together during the Water & Land Dharma Service to listen to the Dharma, make vows to speak kindly and do good deeds, the human mind will find peace, and so will all sentient beings across the Three Realms.”
Thus, the true purpose of participating in the Dharma service is to calm our body and mind, and free ourselves from afflictions by paying homage to and praising the virtues of the Buddhas, and by repenting our actions, speech, and mind. In doing so, we discover the wisdom and meaning of life — and that is the true essence of “deliverance.”
Participating in the Water & Land Dharma Service brings peace and hope to all sentient beings—past, present, and future. Yet, the one who benefits the most is the participant themselves, by discovering the wisdom and courage to navigate life. By sincerely following the ancestral masters’ teachings with focused mindfulness, participants deepen their practice and purify the three karmas of body, speech, and mind.
As the great Master Hsu Yun once expressed his hope for Dharma services:
“Without intending to liberate others, one naturally liberates oneself; without seeking benefit, one naturally gains benefit.” This captures the true spirit and essential purpose of participating in the Water & Land Dharma Services.
【Rejoice and Join In】
“In the Triple Gem’s gate, blessings are easily cultivated—
A single coin given brings ten thousand in return.
Still don’t believe it? Look to Emperor Liang,
Who once offered a straw hat and gained dominion over mountains and rivers.”
It is said that in a past life, Emperor Liang Wudi gave up his only straw hat, which protected him from the wind and rain, to offer it to a statue of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva. This simple yet sincere act of devotion created a deep karmic bond with the Bodhisattva and brought him immense merit.
As the sutra teaches:
“Before attaining Buddhahood, first cultivate good relationships with others.” Whether a person enjoys good relationships in life often depends on the karmic connections they’ve built. By participating in the Water and Land Dharma Service, one not only forms connections with all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, but also with all sentient beings. Even joining a single session can bring the blessings and support of the Buddhas.
Sentient beings are limitless, and so too are the merits from even the smallest act of rejoicing and offering. Just like one candle lighting a thousand others—light passing from one to the next—this merit continues endlessly. A single sincere thought, a moment of heartfelt participation, can illuminate the treasure within and generate boundless virtue. When we offer prayers for all beings, our innate great compassion naturally awakens.
Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Center will launch a group practice to respectfully recite the “Emperor Liang’s Repentance”
【Date】
11/25 (Tuesday) ～ 11/29 (Saturday) 9 : 30 am – 4 : 00 pm
11/30 (Sunday) 9 : 30 am – 12 : 20 pm
【Registration】Register seatings/Make offerings
Offerings may be made in person at the start of the first and third incense sessions each day, or by our volunteers on your behalf.
1. Offering of light – donation $60 / lamp
2. Offering of flower (Orchid, may be taken home）- donation $80 / set
3. Offerings of food (GIft with Nuts, may be taken home）- donation $100 / set
4. Offerings of tea (Great vow ceramic set, may be taken home) – donation $120 / set
【Other Merit Items】Meal Offering for the Assembly & General Support Donation
【Virtual Blessings】Register
【Preparatory homework】Perform prostrations while reciting the <Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance> one bow per sentence, totaling 108 bows; or Recite the sacred name “Namo Shakyamuni Buddha” 3,000 times. <Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance>
【Notes】
– To maintain the sanctity of the hall, please arrive at least 10 minutes before each service begins.
– Please wear the ceremonial robe when entering the altar. Kindly bring your own robe, or you may purchase one at the center.
– When attending the services, please wear loose and comfortable clothing suitable for kneeling and bowing. *To be respectful to our center, please avoid revealing clothes (e.g., low-cut, backless, sleeveless, shorts, short skirts). Please wear socks, as shoes must be removed before entering.
– Please do not bring meat, pungent foods, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, electronic devices, prohibited items, or hazardous materials.
– During the service, please stay mindful and quiet, follow all instructions and etiquette, and avoid rushing.
– Please turn off your phone before entering the altar area.
【Related Information】To learn more about the meaning of the service, practice methods, and related information. Great Compassion Water and Land Dharma Service site
【Service Schedule】
Daily Practice at the Altar:
200 prostrations or recitation of “Namo Shakyamuni Buddha” 3,000 times.
Chant Playback: “Namo Shakyamuni Buddha”