Get Close with Guan Yin

Everything in life is the result of our accumulated merits, as well as nonvirtuous conduct. Since birth, we've brought along virtues and non-virtues from the past. If we are fortunate to come across Dharma or the faith of life, we'd devote ourselves to kind acts. Oppositely, if we don't encounter Dharma, our lives would be wasted in the entanglement of the five poisons (greed, aversion, ignorance, pride, doubt) by karmic influence. Many life opportunities are therefore depleted quickly.

Now that you’re here at Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM), the bodhimanda of Guan Yin (Avalokiteshvara). Under these proper causes and conditions, be sure to take something back with you. What would that be? Felicity. You are here to bring back the lifetimes of Guan Yin's aspiration and follow the path of the bodhisattva. The path of the bodhisattva is to "attain Buddhahood for the liberation of beings". By engaging in the practice of Guan Yin, we are extending the connection with beings through her compassion. As well, we are cultivating the merit and wisdom of life by the compassion of Guan Yin.

Merit and wisdom are cultivated. Dharma practice is to understand that every little event in life is the opportunity to make a positive connection. This is to “realize life and dedicate it”. With proper values, faith, and conduct, the right aspiration can be made. As the virtuous aspiration extends, our karmic DNA can be transformed eventually to be recoded with the message, “attain Buddhahood to liberate sentient beings”.