Emperor Liang Jeweled Repentance Service

On March 12 to 16, IBPS Manila conducted the The Emperor Liang Jeweled Repentance Service as a fund raising activity for the construction of the new IBPS building in Malate, Manila. The service was headed by Venerable Master Huei-In and 16 other dharma masters who flew in from Fo Guang Shan Taiwan on March 11.

Attended by hundreds of devotees and held at the main hall of the still-ongoing construction site of the new IBPS building, the service began with a blessing and cleansing ceremony on March 12.

Historically, Emperor Liang Wudi initiated this ceremony approximately 1500 years ago. His wife, Chi Hui, died at age of thirty after leading a life marked by jealousy and anger. After death, she was reincarnated as a large snake and came to recognize that she needed prayers from the sangha to expiate her sins and release her soul from the lower realms. This came to the emperor’s attention through troubled dreams of his beloved wife. Through great generosity, Emperor Liang requested Ch'an Master Bao Zhi and other high monastics to write ten chapters of the repentance. As a result of performing this ceremony, his wife's soul was indeed released from its suffering.

At IBPS Manila, the ten chapters were divided into daily services from March 13 to 16. It was concluded on the last day with a massive offering of food, which was blessed and dedicated to all beings who dwell in the lower realms.

On March 17, the 17 dharma masters from Taiwan were flown to Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo to visit the other IBPS branches in the Philippines.