05/25/2026
Today, Venerable Yin Kit, Venerable Yin Tan, and the Po Lam sangha warmly welcomed us to celebrate what is commonly known as the Buddha’s birthday. While we cannot be certain the date is historically accurate, Sze Fu reminded us that this does not truly matter. What is imperative is that we remember this as the day we are reborn as followers of the Buddha’s teachings — that because we have encountered the teachings in this lifetime, we have been reborn with the vision of cultivating a Dhamma body. Our parents gave us this human body, which allows us to encounter the teachings; but it is the teachings that allow us to walk the path, follow the Wise One’s teachings, become kinder and more compassionate people, and make wise choices in this life and all the lives to come; all are the embodiments of the Dhamma body.
Together, we recited three sutras, bathed the baby Buddha — symbolically washing away our own defilements — and offered beautiful flowers at the altar. After a delectable vegetarian lunch with special birthday cakes, we gathered once more in the chanting hall for another ceremony. Three people chose to take refuge and precepts, committing their lives to walking the path, planting wholesome seeds for the future, and letting go of their clinging to negative and unwholesome habits.
We are grateful for the guidance and encouragement we receive at Po Lam, and wholeheartedly offer our gratitude, appreciation and support.
A happy day, indeed!
今天，衍傑法師、衍曇法師及寶林的僧團熱誠地歡迎我們，共同慶祝佛陀聖誕。
雖然我們無法確定這一天在歷史上是否準確，但師父提醒我們，這其實並不重要。重要的是，我們要記住，這一天是我們作為佛陀教法追隨者重生的日子——因為我們在此生有幸遇上佛法，我們便得以重生，擁有機會持續培養法身慧命。
父母給予我們這個人身，讓我們有機會接觸佛法；而佛法則讓我們能夠踏上修行之路，依循智者的教導，在今生及未來無數生中，成為更慈悲、更善良的人，並作出明智的抉擇。這些全部都是法身慧命的美德。
我們一同誦讀了佛遺教三經典。為佛陀聖像沐浴——象徵性地洗滌自身的煩惱垢染——並在佛前供奉美麗的鮮花。享用了美味的素菜及特別的生日蛋糕後。
下午我們再次聚集於佛堂，舉行另一場儀式。三位善信選擇皈依三寶、受持淨戒，將此生奉獻於修行之路，為未來種下善因，並放下對種種負面及不善習氣的執著。
我們衷心感恩在寶林所獲得的指引與鼓勵，並致以最誠摯的謝意、感激與支持。
確是歡欣的一天！
