Global Guan Yin Dharma Ceremony, July 30 - Aug 1, 2007, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Political polemics on a variety of issues continues to rage in Malaysia: Islamic Nation vs Secular Nation, Freedom of speech vs ISA/OSA, etc. At the same time, the rising crime rate reigns unabated. Then civil servants, including pensioners, got a big boost, the financial kind, purportedly portending the impending arrival of the general election. This is followed by the furor over the tightening of rules governing teachers doubling as tutors, not the gratuitous kind, ostensibly to stem the “fall” of the wayward ones who dare to teach more diligently outside the school hours.

Amidst this mixed bag of development, I was elated to read about the 3-day Global Guan Yin Dharma Ceremony to be held in Malaysia from July 30 – Aug. 1, carried by an online Nanyang Siang Pau article (in Chinese). This could not have come at a more opportune time when the country is in dire need for blessing, in whatever form.

According to the news article, this is to be held in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of the independence of Malaysia, a golden jubilee of sort. The aim is to propagate the spirit of compassion as embodied in the deeds of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, who is better known as Guan Yin among the Chinese community, and Goddess of Mercy in the west, in praying for the cessation of disasters, for the liberation of sentient beings from suffering, for ensuring harmony in and among nations, and for realizing lasting world peace.

To be held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, the Global Guan Yin Dharma Ceremony expects an attendance of 300,000, and features a variety of Buddhist rites such as the repentance, the release life, the veneration of the sangha, passing the lanterns, mantra chanting, and meditation as well as a series of Dharma talks on vegetarian cooking and ecology, and Dharma song and dance performances. Many world-renowned venerable masters such as Chin Kung and Tsing Yun will grace the occasion. This is an especially auspicious event that emerges from the convergence of many conducive and enabling conditions, culminating in showing the path toward fulfillment through wisdom and compassion.

As stated by Rev Ratana, Chief Monk of the Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a blessed country as we can come into contact with Buddhism of different schools. This is unlike other countries that have a more homogeneous populace, and hence, are likely to practice the teachings propounded by a single school of Buddhism. In that regard, the ceremony will help channel a powerful flow of Dharma bliss, embracing all being in benevolence.

So, to partake of the benefits and Dharma merits, be there.