Saturday, February 9 (Lunar New Year’s eve) – 1:00 PM – 3:30PM
In cultivation, there are 84,000 kinds of dharma practices, and hand-copying sutras is one of them. Sutra copying can help us focus our minds, nurture our character, and open our wisdom. The Bodhisattva Asanga once said:
“There are five benefits from handcopying a sutra:
(1) One can draw near to the Tathagata;
(2) One can gather in and gain blessings and virtues;
(3) Praising the Dharma is also cultivating;
(4) One can receive offerings from heavenly beings;
(5) One can eradicate offenses.”
In 2006, Gold Buddha Monastery started this tradition called the “First Stroke of Auspiciousness, Sutra Copying for Blessings”. This event was conducted on Chinese New Year’s Eve at 1:30 in the afternoon. All those who participated brought forth their earnest sincerity to hand-copy sutras. This year 2013, we continue to hand copy several sutras; namely, “The Heart of Prajna Paramita Sutra”, “Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra”, “Great Strength Bodhisattva’s Perfect Penetration Chapter”, “The Avatamsaka Sutra Preface”, “The Sutra of the Eight Awakenings of Great Sages”, “Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra”, “Medicine Master Sutra”, and “Shurangama Mantra Verses by Venerable Master Hua”.
May the merit and virtue of handcopying sutras,
be universally transferred to all beings in the Dharma Realm
and may all attain Bodhi fruition.
May all attain bliss and leave suffering,
bring forth Bodhi resolve and attain Bodhi Way.
*** [ PDF document share ] 2013 GBM Sutra Copying
