Friday, May 24, 2013

3 Steps 1 Bow Ceremony

 
With the encouragement of a friend to experience the average 2.5 hrs journey annual event held at kmspks and after gaining guidance from Venerables and friends from recent Taiwan trip, I finally gained enough confidence to trial the event.
We arrived and started queuing as Public members with no tickets at the Hall of No Form from around 9.30pm but it is until around 3.15am! (interim postponement of 1 hr due to heavy rain) that is our turn to start.
Fortunately, I had tea late afternoon and the supper of delicious soup noodles provided by the temple to be able to endure the long nite event.
And with tips recently gained from the trip & organiser, the long journey was completed quite smoothly by 4.45am. :-)
We were exhausted physically but mentally still ok at end of session.
Should we to attend again next year, we would definitely want to get the tickets...

Gratitude to friends who encouraged & accompanied me, Venerables and friend who taught me the right prostration attitude and methods...
Amituofo...

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The Significance of 3 Steps 1 Bow 三步一拜
Every prostration is the paying of respects to the Buddha (also include Bodhisattvas). This practice helps to purify the mind, humble the ego and lessen obstacles along the spiritual path as one repents past misdeeds and aspires towards spiritual development. With mindfulness of one’s body, speech and mind during the journey, spiritual qualities are cultivated.
每一拜皆是对佛陀的礼敬(或无数佛及菩萨的礼敬)。这样的修持能够帮助我们净化心灵,培养谦卑,减少灵性修持上的障碍,通过礼拜的过程,我们忏悔以往的恶业并激励自己在灵性上要努力提升。以清净的身、语、意来进行礼拜,可以让我们达到专注与平静。由于仪式冗长,它提醒我们成佛之道的漫长与艰难。然而,它也提醒我们只要有决心,所有的困难皆可一一克服。仪式的尾声接近黎明时分,划破黑暗的晨光象征着智慧之光驱走无明与黑暗。
(source: https://vesak.kmspks.org/about_vesak/3-step-1-bow/)

Amitabha Buddha Chanting Practice at Singapore Expo


Whole Day Chanting from 8.30am
Light Transference on 24 May 6.30pm followed by
7.30pm Dharma Talk on "The Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra" by Ven Da An