Article by Gesang Suolang Rinpoche
I had the honor to attend this very grand Dharma Assembly that convened Saturday June 11th and June 12th 2022 at the Sheraton Hotel in San Gabriel, CA, a suburb of Los Angeles. The event space, The Grand Ballroom of the hotel, was very large and accommodated hundreds of kneeling benches draped with embroidered cloths set in front of tables draped in pleated satin tablecloths with colorful borders. Similarly embroidered text holder covers were set upright on the tables giving the hall a very unified, dignified appearance. Additional seating was provided by rows of chairs that filled the hall. There must have been many more than one thousand people in attendance.
At the back of the stage hung colorful drapes and banners. The many offering tables on stage were festooned with more rich fabrics and topped with floral arrangements, fruits, ornamental lamps, many of which flickered with colorful lights to sparkling effect. Sunflowers and peonies were the dominant flower varieties. At the center of the stage, as a backdrop, was a grand, recent portrait photograph of the Buddha Master holding His Pope of Buddhism Scepter. The whole scene was very grand and beautiful.
The Assembly began with a procession to the stage of the dozen or so nuns who were to lead and play instruments for the program. They were followed by the three officiants of the Assembly, Ven. Zhengda Jiao Zun, Je Hui Fa Shi, and Ru Hui Fa Shi. The program began with praises to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and many familiar texts such as, the Great Compassion Mantra and the Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra, among others. The chanting was very beautiful with multi-part harmonies, stirring drumming from very large drums and gongs, and brightly ringing bells. The sound filled the space from the singers on stage and from all of the participants below. After an offering in which holy water from three vases was sprinkled on all of the participants by the three officiants, there was a break period. Afterward, the chanting continued with Volume One of the Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance.
There was then a lunch break and boxed meals were distributed in a dining hall. After lunch, the Assembly continued with the chanting of Volumes Two and Three of the Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance. As participants left the hall at the end of the program, the three officiants handed out a holy pill wrapped in a bright red cloth to each participant.
Sunday was a half day program that began with a procession to the stage of six dignitary Disciples of the Buddha Master: Ven. Denman Tsemang Longzhi, Ven. Danbi Mozhi Longduo, Bodhi Wentu Ru Zun, Ven. Zhengda Jiao Zun, Je Hui Fa Shi, and Ru Hui Fa Shi. Following this was a special ceremony to present 108 Offerings to the Buddhas from various Dharma Centers and Temples. It began with the sounds of the great Tibetan horns. Then, a procession of representatives from these Dharma organizations carried ritual objects and objects of great beauty on golden plates up to the stage in pairs, in a slow and solemn manner. These objects were blessed by the Buddhas and returned to the participants after the ceremony ended. After a short break, another text was chanted which I believe was the Definitive Truth Sutra of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Toward the end of the morning, Ven. Tsemang read a poem and spoke a dedication to bless all in the local area and in the world with peace and good fortune. I have been told that among his statements, was the notification that a Tremendous Holy Guru had publicly promised to transmit high dharma to those who truly cultivate and transform themselves into people with Bodhisattva-like conduct. Ven. Tsemang’s address will be translated into English fairly soon, so we can all read his words. The Assembly ended with a procession of the dignitaries leaving the hall. Afterward, as we participants left, we each received a small plastic bag holding Vajra-Bodhi Pills.
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