Holy Miracles Temple: Amitabha Buddha’s Birthday Assembly

Holy Miracles Temple Commemorates Amitabha Buddha’s Birthday with a Grand Dharma Assembly in Pasadena

Photo Courtesy: Joyce Lee. The Holy Miracles Temple held a Dharma Assembly to honor the Holy Birthday of Amitabha Buddha.

The assembly began at 10 a.m. on December 21. The Grand Hall resonated with solemn sutra chanting, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and reverence. Under the guidance of the Dharma Master Jiaozun Zhengda, together with Dharma Master Ruzun Ruohui — the abbess of Hua Zang Si Temple and Hongfa Temple — and other monastics, attendees paid homage to the Buddhas and recited The Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra. This was followed by the Meal Offering Ceremony. Incense, flowers, lamps, fresh fruits, and various offerings were presented in sequence.

Photo Courtesy: Joyce Lee

Under the guidance of the Dharma Master Jiaozun Zhengda, Dharma Master Ruzun Ruohui, and other monastics, attendees paid homage to the Buddhas and recited The Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra.

Attendees prayed for the blessings and protection of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, Amitabha Buddha, and all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions—may all calamities be pacified, may life unfold in harmony and joy, and may the merit and wisdom of all living beings ever increase, hastening their journey toward enlightenment.

According to Buddhist scriptures, Amitabha Buddha is one of the Five Buddhas in Five Directions and is a disciple of the Primordial Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha. In His past lives before becoming a Buddha, Amitabha Buddha made forty-eight profound vows out of boundless compassion, aspiring to rescue all beings from suffering and guide them toward rebirth in the Pure Land.

Dharma Master Jiaozun Zhengda called upon Buddhist disciples to emulate the vast vows of compassion made by Amitabha Buddha and the Buddhas of the ten directions to liberate all sentient beings. The merit accrued through this assembly was dedicated to the flourishing of the true Buddha Dharma, the well-being of all people, the prosperity of the world, and enduring peace among nations.

Buddhist nun Zhengqin Shi of Hongfa Temple shared reflections on her spiritual journey. After enduring many hardships, it was through studying the true Buddha Dharma that she discovered inner peace and joy. She emphasized that learning Buddhism is neither feudal superstition nor a search for the strange or heretically induced phenomena. The scripture Learning from Buddha has been her most cherished guide on cultivation and the practices of Buddha Dharma.

Participant Vicky Wu from Los Angeles expressed deep gratitude for the compassionate blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and for the rare opportunity in this lifetime to encounter the teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. After more than a decade of practice, her faith in the law of cause and effect has grown steadily, giving her the composure to meet life’s challenges with ease. As the Dharma Assembly concluded successfully, the Dharma Masters sprinkled blessed Dharma water upon attendees, offering prayers for the alleviation of misfortune, longevity, and continued growth in good fortune and wisdom. The temple grounds were filled with a sense of collective tranquility and spiritual renewal. Many expressed gratitude for the guidance provided by the esteemed monastics and the opportunity to share in the collective energy of the assembly.

Photo Courtesy: Joyce Lee

Hundreds of Buddhists from across multiple nations attended the Dharma Assembly.

The organizers observed that the Dharma Assembly was not only a moment of shared reverence but also an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the Buddha’s teachings and commitment to compassionate action. They expressed the hope that the inspiration from this gathering will continue to illuminate each person’s path—encouraging the cultivation of virtue, nurturing harmony within families and communities, and bringing forth a peaceful and benevolent world.