July 11, 2009, the day was clear and the sky was blue; Root Guru His Holiness Living Buddha Lian-Sheng attended the Saturday group cultivation at Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple. Totaling approximately three hundreds participants from Malaysia, Brazil, France, Canada, Maine, and New York bathed in the Buddha`s radiating lights and listened to the lectures, full of Dharma bliss.

Master Lian Zai (釋蓮栽上師) led the Padmakumara group practice. After the cultivation, Reverend Lian Tan (蓮壇法師) gave speech on `Essence of Middle Path`: Not being attached to existence and non-existence, but not separating from neither one. It should be a combination of wisdom and convenience (things that add to one’s ease or comfort).

Master Lian Zai mentioned in his Dharma talk that Buddhism philosophies may be straightforward, but actual practicing and applying the knowledge to daily life is far important.

Dharma King His Holiness Living Buddha Lian-Sheng continued the lecture on The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch (六祖壇經). Learned Audience. Mahaprajnaparamita is the foremost and the farthest of all. It neither stays, goes, nor comes. By means of it, Buddhas of the present, past, and future generates from there.

Root Guru lectured, Shakyamuni Buddha`s awakening Mahaprajnaparamita is the most supreme, perfect, complete, and beautiful. Enduring mortification Paran?is the hardest attainable Paran?within the six Paran? Root Guru praised Shimu having inner beauty, staunch and tenacious character.

Grand Master reminded all Master, Reverends, and Dharma preachers to cautiously follow and hold the precepts in order to overcome all tests (difficulties and encumbrances). Grand Master then used the philosophy of lyric song implied in a Chinese folk song, Duckweed Gathers (萍聚), to educate everyone ways to endure all emotional ordeals.

After the group practice, Grand Master compassionately consecrated the Buddha statues, blessed the Great Compassion Water, and gave initiation empowerments to new disciples. Before leaving the main hall, Grand Master blessed each kneeled disciples; everyone received blessing, increased their faiths, and willingly to apply what were learned to daily lives. Everyone left with a heartfelt fulfillment and Dharma joy.

1.