菲律賓馬尼拉佛光山 IBPS Manila, Philippines BLOG

2008 Vesak Day

2008-04-10T16:26:00.004+08:00

This year's Vesak Day will once again be held at the open-air Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia.

Guests at the opening ceremony on April 18 (10:30AM) will include of prominent personalities from the religious community. They will be representing the Catholic, Hindu, Islamic and other faiths.

BACKGROUND

The exact date of Vesak, informally "Buddha's Birthday," is in the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar (typically May), coinciding with the first full moon of that month. The date varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar and actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.

On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.

(souce: Wikipedia)

Come and Join the Celebration ...

... Bathe the Buddha to receive blessings all year round.
... Make your wishes come true at the Wishing Bodhi Tree.
... Drop your kids at the Children’s Activity Center.
... Have your photo taken for a personalized souvenir.
... Stimulate your mind at the reading area.
... Watch the original all-Filipino production Siddhartha: A Musical Journey to Enlightenment.
... Enjoy the variety show on closing night.

For those who are interested in the religious aspect of the festival, the opening ceremony will include an Offering Ceremony where traditional objects like flowers, candles and fruits will be offered and blessed. Sutra Chanting accompanied by Buddhist musical instruments will be the highlight of the ceremony.

Visitors are encouraged to participate in the simple Buddha Bathing procedure where the participant ladles water on the statue of the infant Buddha in the following manner:

Bathe the right shoulder: “I vow to do good deeds.”
Bathe the left shoulder: “I vow to speak good words.”
Bathe the back: “I vow to have a good heart.”

The two-day event is open to the public, and admission is free.

Dharma Lecture in English

2008-04-04T16:12:00.004+08:00

Venerable Master Miao Jing arrived this morning from Taiwan for a series dharma lectures she will be delivering in English. This is her second trip to Manila this year. In February, she was part of Venerable Master Miao Guang's team from Fo Guang University who came to the Philippines to promote Fo Guang University's Buddhist Studies Program. The five-member team traveled from Manila to Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo to deliver dharma lectures as well as introduce Fo Guang University's Buddhist Studies Program.

Her first lecture in Manila will be conducted at 7:30PM tonight at the IBPS Main Hall. The topic is "Conditionality: The Law of Cause and Effect."

Click here to read more about this topic.

Emperor Liang Jeweled Repentance Service

2008-03-23T01:59:00.009+08:00

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.

如常法師蒞菲巡迴佛學講座: 圖說釋迦傳的故事深獲好評

2008-01-24T16:32:00.001+08:00

佛光緣美術館總部執行長及世界佛教美術圖說大辭典主編、現任大仁科技大學講師如常法師，應菲律賓佛光山暨國際佛光會菲律賓協會之邀，特別撥空於1月16日蒞臨菲律賓，立即馬不停蹄地巡迴於描戈律、怡朗、宿務及馬尼拉各島作四場的佛學講座，講述《圖說釋迦傳的故事》，所到之處皆受到當地信眾熱烈的歡迎並深獲好評。

1月20日下午二時，假馬尼拉佛光山三寶殿舉行第四場佛學講座，此場講座由馬尼拉佛光山暨國際佛光會菲律賓協會主辦，香江分會與巴石分會聯合承辦。當天下午聽聞者十分踴躍，整個三寶殿座無虛席，約有百餘人聞法受益。

如常法師以其深厚的佛學造詣及對宗教藝術的博學多聞，透過電腦新科技PowerPoint的輔助，將她從世界各國博物館收集而來的珍藏圖片一一作詳細的解說。從「佛陀腳底的千輻輪、扁平足等瑞相說起；如何辨識佛像；如何辨識佛陀的結手印-施無畏印、允願印、禪定印、降魔印、說法印；佛傳故事從何部經典而來；到佛傳故事之八相成道-降兜率相、托胎相、降生相、出家相、降魔相、成道相、說法相、涅槃相…等等」，透過圖片將釋迦牟尼佛一生輝煌的故事講述得淋漓盡致，字字珠璣，讓大眾聽得津津有味，對佛教教主有更深入的認識，人人皆感法喜充滿、受益良多。

菲律賓佛光山總住持永昭法師勉勵大眾：看到佛陀一生都是在宣揚佛法，普渡眾生，當下我們更要發心發願來弘揚佛法，讓正法永存。希望在天主教國家，經由一次次的聽聞佛法，大家都能「自覺與行佛，化世與益人」，讓菲律賓國家更安定、社會更祥和、人心更淨化，並祝福大家在新的一年眾緣和諧、子德芬芳！這是一場圓滿成功的佛法饗宴。

Dharma Day 臘八粥

2008-01-17T12:54:00.000+08:00

On the 8th day of the last month in the lunar calendar, we celebrate “Dharma Day.” This is the day when Gautama Buddha attained Buddhahood while meditating under the Bodhi tree. This year's Dharma Day fell on the 15th of January.

During the six-year period wherein Gautama Siddhartha was searching for the answers and solutions to the many problems and sufferings of human beings, he tried many methods to gain wisdom. One of the methods was “takas”, the practice of self-mortification to gain wisdom, wherein he lived on a grain of rice a day. However, this practice caused him to lose his health and become very weak.

One day, he realized that holiness can never be attained through fasting only or the pursuit of materialistic satisfactions. The most appropriate was to take the “middle path,” the practice of moderation in any undertaking. At this moment, Gautama Siddhartha stood up and went to a clear stream to take a bath. Due to his failing health, he was too weak and could hardly reach the shore. He eventually fainted at the riverbank.

He was discovered by the shepherd girl Sujata, who offered him milk-rice which nourished him back to health. With his strength back, Siddhartha walked to the place called Gaya and meditated under the Bodhi tree. Meditating in perfect happiness and peace of mind for 49 days, he observed the great bright night star and the transformation of the sky that took place. Thus, he finally realized the truth in the existence of everything in the universe – Dependent Origination. The 49th day happened to be the 8th day of the 12th month of the lunar calendar, the day Siddhartha attained Buddhahood and became the Buddha. For Buddhists all over the world, this is referred to as “Dharma Day.”

Though porridge might be considered a simple food, Buddhists regard serving it as embodying hope to serve food for both the physical body and spiritual mind. A quote from the sutra stated, “Having received the Dharma, contentment is fulfilled.”

Through this celebration of Dharma Day, when porridge is being served, we pray and hope that more people will come to partake of this palatable food and at the same time receive and learn the noble teaching of the Buddha’s Dharma.

Link: Dharma Day Celebration

亞洲週刊 article about 星雲大師

2008-01-17T10:40:00.001+08:00

Click on the image above to read the article.

如常法師佛學講座

2008-01-09T12:19:00.001+08:00

現任台灣大仁科技大學講師如常法師將應國際佛光會菲律賓協會之邀蒞菲分別於宿務怡朗描戈律及馬尼拉作環島佛學講座。
如常法師畢業於佛光大學藝術學研究所；擁有碩士學位。現任大仁科技大學講師；佛光緣美術館總部執行長及世界佛教美術圖說大辭典主編；曾主編「千載一時一時千載」恭迎佛指舍利來台特刊；「覺有情」星雲大師墨跡圖錄；「雲水三千」星雲大師弘法五十週年影像等。掌管佛光山海內外9個美術館。擅長舉辦大型的佛教文化藝術活動。法師對宗教藝術博學多聞。這次應邀來菲律賓作環島說法。講述-圖說釋迦傳的故事。實是菲島信眾的一大福報。

如常法師將於1月16日抵達菲律賓作環島佛學講座。
講座行程如下:

描戈律圓通寺 1/17 (星期四) 晚上 7:30pm
怡朗佛光緣 1/18 (星期五) 晚上 7:30pm
宿務慈恩寺 1/19 (星期六) 晚上 7:30pm

馬尼拉講座將於2008年1月20日(星期日)下午2:00pm在馬尼拉佛光山三寶殿舉辦。由香江分會與巴石分會聯合承辦。

敬邀各界善士蒞臨聽經聞法。共沾法喜。歡迎來電查詢 – 馬尼拉佛光山 (5234909； 5253680)。王彬佛光緣 (2415797； 2425658)

國際佛光會菲律賓協會第七次會員大會

2007-11-23T23:39:00.000+08:00

News report prepared by BLIA Philippines for BLTV

國際佛光會菲律賓協會召開第七次會員代表大會
Click on the link to view the article

馬尼拉佛光山2007舉辦甘露灌頂三皈典禮 Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem

2007-11-13T11:06:00.001+08:00

一、宗旨：本寺為弘揚佛陀正法，淨化社會人心，培育正信佛教徒，讓有心學習佛法者成為一個皈依三寶的佛弟子。

二、報名資格：自願發心以佛教為終身信仰者

三、皈依三寶的利益：

1. 生生世世不墮地獄、畜生、餓鬼
2. 福增無量，罪滅河沙
3. 明白因果輪迴之理，勿造惡業
4. 心靈的依靠，永恆的寶藏
5. 受戒的基礎，成佛的根本

四、典禮時間：二○○七年十一月十六日（星期五）下午7：30

五、典禮地點：馬尼拉佛光山三寶殿

六、報名日期：自即日起至額滿為止。

七、報名手續：填寫報名表。

八、聯絡處：

地址：656 P.Ocampo St., Malate, Manila Philippies
專線：(2)523-4909，525-3680
傳真：(2)522-1475
E-mail：info@fgsphilippines.org
網址：http://fgsphilippines.org

More Press Coverage for Siddhartha

2007-11-10T01:16:00.001+08:00

The musical play Siddhartha has once again received press coverage. Read the entire article here. (more...)

藥師法會 Medicine Buddha Sutra Chanting Service

2007-11-09T22:20:00.000+08:00

This year's Medicine Buddha Dharma Service (藥師法會) began last night and is ongoing until November 10 (Saturday). Here are some photos from the first night. (more...)

Siddhartha Essay Writing Contest & Siddhartha's Singing Competition

2007-11-08T03:03:00.000+08:00

The success of "Siddhartha: A Musical Journey to Enlightenment", especially with the young audience has inspired us to create an essay writing and singing competition. Both competitions are open to the public.

For more details, please go to:

Siddhartha Essay Writing Contest

Siddhartha's Singing Competition

Prizes await the winners!

IBPS and BLIA in newspapers

2007-10-24T19:39:00.000+08:00

Recently, IBPS and BLIA have been featured in several newspapers. Here are scanned copies of five of them:

World News, October 11, 2007, page 21
click on the image below to view the article

World News, October 22, 2007, page 28
click on the image below to view the article

World News, October 22, 2007, page 28
click on the image below to view the article
Tulay, October 23, 2007, page 10 and 15
click on the image below to view the article

World News, October 24, 2007, page28
click on the image below to view the article

馬尼拉佛光山暨國際佛光會菲律賓協會為緬甸僧侶人民舉行誦經點燈祈福法會

2007-10-19T20:42:00.000+08:00

九月以來，緬甸部份僧侶和民眾因要求降低物價，改善民生，實現民主和解，而走上街頭示威遊行，因此觸犯了緬甸政府，認為這是反政府勢力煽動所致，為了平息局勢，政府宣佈實施宵禁，禁止民眾白天集會遊行，同時大肆搜捕寺廟，拘留僧侶以及民眾，很多佛教徒因此而遇難受害。此事經由媒體透露，引起世界各國的震驚，尤其宗教界紛紛反彈群起聲援，並為緬甸受難的僧侶民眾舉行誦經祈福活動。 (more...)

Prayer for Peace in Myanmar at PWU

2007-10-12T16:16:00.000+08:00

The quest for peace goes beyond religious affiliations. At 2pm on October 10, 2007, IBPS Manila was invited to the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) for an inter-religious peace offering entitled “Prayer for Peace in Myanmar at PWU.” (more...)

Link: article from PWU

佛光人間大學課程內容與講師資簡介

2007-09-21T14:28:00.000+08:00

地點: 馬尼拉佛光山 (一期16堂課)

星期二 (7:00PM~9:00PM)
課程內容: 華嚴經淨行品：這品經裏有一百多個願，願願皆為眾生而修，這是大乘菩薩所修的法門。以此躬行實踐、老實修行。如經所言「若諸菩薩。善用其心。則獲一切勝妙功德。
講師／學經歷: 滿貴法師
◎ 佛光山叢林學院講師
◎ 佛光山弘講師

星期三 (7:00PM~9:00PM)
課程內容: 八宗綱要：佛陀在《梵網經》說：「一切眾生皆有佛性，我是已成之佛，汝等是未成之佛。我本元自性清淨，若識自心見性，皆成佛道。」眾生根基有千差，故如來說法有萬別。下半學期老師將繼續闡明唯識宗、華嚴宗、真言宗、禪宗的教義。
講師／學經歷: 永本法師
◎ 佛光山叢林學院專任教師
◎ 現任佛光山電子大藏經主任

星期四 (7:00PM~9:00PM)
課程內容: 唯識概論：「唯識學」是佛教心理學，以八識為主體論述人心識的造作，學習唯識可知境風識浪中，如何化得一份自在，了悟「外境本空，唯心自鬧」。於世間千差萬別中，學習如何回歸心田，播撒自性清境種。從根、境、識的有為法中，見到緣起性空的無為法，原是不即不離、不來不去。
講師／學經歷: 滿紀法師
◎ 四川大學宗教學研究所哲學博士
◎ 現任佛光山叢林學院講師、佛光山天眼網路學院講師

2007年星雲大師佛教歌曲發表會 Sounds of the Human World

2007-09-21T11:38:00.000+08:00

The Philippine contingent garnered 10 awards:

1. Best Religious Atmosphere Award
2. Best Singing Award
3. 5th Anniversary Championship
4. Best Composition - Jude Gitamondoc's "Light the Lamp"
5. Audience Choice - First Prize on 09/10/07 - Jude Gitamondoc's "Light the Lamp"
6. Audience Choice - First Prize on 09/15/07 - Henry Tiu's "Everyday is a Good Day"
7. Best Outstanding Entry - Joseph Abella's "The Prayer"
8. Special Award from the Judges - Henry Tiu, Melody Babula, Lorela Torres, Jeffrey Perida
9. Special Award from the Judges - Windey Prado
10. Specail Award from the Judges - Levin Inez

Congratulations!!! View the photos HERE.

佛光山傳授在家五戒菩薩戒會通啟

2007-09-19T13:41:00.000+08:00

一、宗旨：

本寺為弘揚佛陀戒法，加強在家弟子行門教育，淨化社會人心，特啟建在家戒會。

二、資格：凡正信佛教，發心奉行戒法之在家男、女二眾。

三、戒期：

五戒：二○○七年國曆十一月二日至十一月四日（週五至週日）
農曆九月二十三至九月二十五日

菩薩戒：二○○七年國曆十一月二日至十一月四日（週五至週日）
農曆九月二十三至九月二十五日

四、地點：高雄縣大樹鄉佛光山寺

五、費用：食宿費用由本寺提供（歡迎隨喜打齋）。
縵衣由捐贈者結緣。

六、報名：１.自即日起至二千人額滿為止。
２.報名表可向佛光山本山暨全省各地別分院索取。

七、報到時間：二○○七年國曆十一月二日晚上7：00

八、手續：

１.報名：
（1）填寫報名表乙份。
（2）繳交最近二吋半身相片二張。

２.經審核通過後，即寄發報到通知單。

九、辨事處：

１.地址：840高雄縣大樹鄉佛光山寺
２.電話：07-6561921轉2001或2012
３.網址：http://www.fgs.org.tw（歡迎下載報名表）

報名表下載

source: http://fgs.org.tw

I.B.P.S. Manila in Wikipedia

2007-09-11T15:17:00.001+08:00

We have an entry at Wikipedia under I.B.P.S. Manila, Philippines (Fo Guang Shan Manila). Searching Wikipedia using these keywords will also work.

Our entry is found under the following categories:
- Religion
- Buddhism
- Fo Guang Shan

2007 Sounds of the Human World (人間音緣)

2007-09-10T10:34:00.000+08:00

The finals of the 2007 Sounds of the Human World: Ven. Master Hsing Yun Buddhist Musical Composition Quest (星雲大師佛教歌曲發表會) began yesterday (September 9) and is ongoing until September 16. The Philippines has several entries vying for the grand prize.

Good luck to the Philippine contingent!

Links:

佛光食譜 Vegetarian Dishes

2007-09-03T19:02:00.000+08:00

The official website of Fo Guang Shan Temple has a section on Vegetarian Cooking. We have added this to our website under "OTHERS". Click on the image above to go directly to the Vegetarian Dishes (佛光食譜) page. This page is only available in Chinese.

Siddhartha: A Musical Journey to Enlightenment

2007-08-24T17:28:00.000+08:00

Due to the positive response and overall success of the original production by BLIA Cebu and Chu Un Temple (慈恩寺), the musical play Siddhartha will be shown in Manila on November 3 and 4 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

For free ticket reservations or donations please call 63 (2) 5234909 or 63 (2) 5255941.

The show in Manila is presented by IBPS Manila (馬尼拉佛光山) and BLIA Philippines (國際佛光會菲律賓協會) .

Watch the trailer at YouTube.

Links:

Official website

佛陀傳音樂劇十一月馬尼拉CCP盛大公演 (from http://fgs.org.tw)

人間音緣「星雲大師佛教歌曲發表會」-台中場 (from http://fgs.org.tw)

2007年度地藏法會 Chanting of Ksitigarbha Sutra

2007-08-16T10:29:00.000+08:00

This year's Morning and Evening Chanting of Ksitigarbha Sutra (2007年度地藏法會) began on August 12 and is ongoing until August 25.

The Ksitigarbha Sutra is composed of 3 parts (上,中,下). Monday to Saturday chanting is mornings and evenings only. Sunday chanting is a whole day event.

Morning chanting begins at 6:00AM followed by breakfast.
Evening chanting begins at 7:30PM. Dinner is served at 6:00PM.

An excellent English translation of the Ksitigarbha Sutra by the Buddhist Text Translation Society is available here.

28th Manila International Book Fair

2007-08-07T12:39:00.001+08:00

World Trade Center Metro Manila
August 29 - September 2, 2007

10:00 A.M — 8:00 P.M., Daily
Booth Nos. 367 & 368

We have a booth at this year's book fair at the World Trade Center. An extensive collection of books, audio CD's, cassettes and DVD's published by Fo Guang Shan in Chinese and English will be available.

Everyone is welcome to visit us. See you there.

佛光緣 IBPS Newsletter

2007-08-04T15:01:00.000+08:00

The IBPS Newsletter (佛光緣) is a full page spread published in the local Chinese newspaper United Daily News (聯合報) every fourth Tuesday of the month.

Back issues are available for viewing or download (PDF) at our website at http://fgsphilippines.org/chinese/events/news.htm.

FGS Philippines in YouTube

2007-08-04T14:35:00.000+08:00

Since we began making news clips of major activities for BLTV (人間衛視), we began uploading them to YouTube as well. When we attended the seminar at BLTV in April 2007, we were encouraged to upload the videos and news clips we made to sites like YouTube so that people who do not have access to BLTV will still be able to view them. To date, BLTV is not carried by any cable TV service provider in the Philippines.

The URL of our YouTube account is http://www.youtube.com/user/fgsphilippines. Unfortunately, the resolution of the videos have been reduced to fit YouTube's video uploading requirements. These video clips are also embedded in some of the pages of our website where articles about the event have been written.

Our new BLOG site

2007-08-04T11:46:00.000+08:00

Our website has been up and running for over 2 years now. Aside from the several changes in the layout, the contents of the site has remained the same - a repository of articles, photos and video clips.

Although these are updated regularly, the flow of information is basically one-sided. We would like to change that. Hence, we've signed up for a BLOG site. Aside from regular updates on the website, we will also post remarks about website updates, recent articles and upcoming events. By posting these in the BLOG, our visitors are free to post their comments and suggestions.