人間通訊社

So many kind and virtuous Malaysians and Singaporeans come together to build the Hsing Ma Temple as an act to liberate all sentient beings!

Under the presence of the magnificent and exquisite jade carvings on the wall and the Dharma words, the Hsing Ma Temple was officially opened. From now on, it will undertake the important role of propagating Humanistic Buddhism in Singapore and Malaysia.

On October 7, Head Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, Most Venerable Hsin Bao, former Abbot Most Venerable Hsin Ting, Director of the Beijing Hsing Yun Culture and Education Centre Venerable Hui Kuan, Abbot of Nan Hua Temple at South Africa Venerable Hui Fang, and Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple Venerable Hui Dong, inaugurated the “Humanistic Budddhism: A Blueprint of practicing to be a Buddha” jade carvings on the wall of the main shrine.

Most Venerable Hsin Ting: “This piece of land was obtained with the help of devout Buddhist Mr. Shen Yong An in 1997. It started with Venerable Man Ke’s design and ongoing fund raising efforts from many devotees from Singapore and Malaysia, after which current Abbess Venerable Jue Cheng took over the planning of the building. Today we are happy to be joined by Fo Guang members from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Brunei, as well as the co-organizers of the 2017 BLIA World Headquarters 3rd Meeting of the Sixth Board of Directors, and thousands of Fo Guang members from all over the world to participate in this wondrous and joyous occasion.”

Next, the 5 presiding Venerables faced the “Humanistic Buddhism Blueprint” jade carvings on the wall. They used towels, mirrors, red ink, and brush to bless the wall carvings, doing so in accordance with traditional Buddhist practices. The opening ceremony was held in conjunction with the 2017 BLIA Headquarters Directors meeting. Under the presence of so many members from all over the world, and the invited guests from Singapore and Malaysia, and members of the public, more than 5,000 people witnessed this very special and moving moment.

Special guests presented at the ceremony included Malaysia’s Minister of Transport Datuk Sri Liow Tiong Lai,The Malaysian Political Secretary Datuk Mr. Wong Nai Chee. Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia Representative Mr Zhang Ji Ping, Johor Malaysia Chinese Association Secretary and Senator Chia Song Cheng, Former Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, President of Singapore Buddhist Federation Venerable Kwang Phing, Vice President of Malaysian Buddhist Association Venerable Chan Liang, Acting President of BLIA World Headquarters Venerable Tzu Jung, President of Fo Guang Shan Compassion Foundation Venerable Yi Lai, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia Venerable Jue Cheng, Principal of Fo Guang International University Consortium Dr.Yang Chao-hsiang, Principal of Southern University College Dr. Thock Kiah Wah, Deputy Minister of Education Ms Chong Rui Ci, President of Johor Baru Tiong-Hua Association Datuk Seri Tey Kim Chai, and many more important representatives from Singapore and Malaysia.

Most Venerable Hsin Bao in his congratulatory speech said that the basis of Buddhism is to educate oneself, and the Buddha himself was an educator who taught ordinary human beings to become saints and sages and to be liberated. He said: “Venerable Master Hsing Yun has always put education in first place as he upholds the Buddha’s original intent.”

He also expressed that Hsing Ma Temple is not just a place of worship but it serves a greater purpose as a centre of learning. “Thank you to all the supporters, protectors of the Dharma, you have helped to build this temple from the ground up and it is a symbol of your beginner's mind,” he said.

The inauguration ceremony was a solemn event. Before the ceremony, 120 VIPs participated in a ribbon-cutting. As Venerable Hui Chuan cut the ribbon, he proclaimed: “First cut, cut away all obstacles to bring good luck, second cut, cut away all defilements to bring clarity, third cut, cut away all ignorance to bring wisdom. Let our dreams fly high and be realized and all our hopes be fulfilled.” At this point, thousands of balloons were floating in the sky; it felt like seeds of Dharma were being sowed across the big earth. From the unveiling of the jade carvings and cleansing of the space, to the offering dance and blessing of the temple, each act was performed with supreme reverence and magnificence, which filled all participants with bliss.

Before the conclusion of the ceremony, Most Venerable Hsin Bao accepted everyone’s gifts on behalf of Fo Guang Shan. The Choir from Hsing Ma Temple performed the Song of Praise for the Great Buddha, written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun to convey their most heartfelt gratitude and respect to the Buddha, and to affirm Hsing Ma Temple’s role to propagate the Dharma.