A Glimpse of the Spring Festival Disaster Relief and Blessing Activities at Chenxiang Pavilion in Shanghai

On February 6, 2020, at 15:24, the author visited Chenxiang Pavilion in Shanghai. The duration of th[...]

On February 6, 2020, at 15:24, the author visited Chenxiang Pavilion in Shanghai. The duration of the visit was 1 day, with a per capita cost of 111 yuan.

Each year on the ninth day of the first lunar month, it is believed to be the day when gods are born. Temples typically hold ceremonies to offer sacrifices to heaven on this day. This year, despite it being a special period and most believers unable to attend the temple, Chenxiang Pavilion in Shanghai proceeded with the Gengzi Year Offering to Heaven and Blessing Dharma Assembly as scheduled, to express gratitude for the protection of the heavenly guardians.

At five o’clock in the morning, incense curls rose in Chenxiang Pavilion, accompanied by the reverberation of Buddhist chants. On the Buddha altar in the main hall and the offering table in the courtyard in front of the hall, a variety of wonderful and sweet offerings such as incense, flowers, lamps, water, fruits, tea, and food were meticulously arranged to welcome the descent of the heavenly beings to receive the offerings. The entire Dharma assembly site was solemn and pure.

The Dharma assembly was led by Abbot Dinghui of Chenxiang Pavilion. The monks and nuns of the whole temple sincerely prayed for the Three Jewels in all directions and the heavenly guardians to descend, accept offerings, adhere to the instructions of the Buddha, patrol the human world, assist virtuous people with compassion, reward kindness, eliminate disasters in the world, and bestow peace, happiness, and auspiciousness on humanity.

Amidst the reverberating Buddhist chants, the more than two-hour Dharma assembly was completed in a solemn and proper manner.The merits of this offering to heaven are dedicated to all good believers in all directions. May in the new year, all Buddhas bestow blessings, the dragon gods protect, the Year of the Rat be auspicious, disasters be eliminated and difficulties be avoided, blessings and wisdom increase, wishes come true, and the Buddha’s light shines everywhere! At the same time, may the country be prosperous, the weather be favorable, and the country be peaceful and the people be at ease!

At 5:00 am on January 25, 2020 (the first day of the lunar new year), Chenxiang Pavilion also held the ‘New Year Blessing and Universal Buddha Dharma Assembly for Disaster Relief’ in the main hall. Although believers cannot attend the temple to bathe in the Buddhist chants together, the main hall is solemn and extraordinary, with loud and clear Buddhist chants and full of Dharma joy. Abbot Dinghui of Chenxiang Pavilion leads the two orders of the masses to worship the Buddha and pray sincerely.

Since the fourth day of the lunar new year, Abbot Dinghui has led all the monks to chant sutras and pray for the Dharma protectors and believers in all directions. May disasters be eliminated and difficulties be avoided, and may there be auspiciousness and good health and eternal auspiciousness! And pray that the epidemic will be eliminated as soon as possible and the country will be peaceful and the people be at ease!

Also, it is reported that recently, patients with pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus have been found in many places.Shanghai’s various sectors are earnestly implementing the important instructions from General Secretary Xi on the pneumonia epidemic caused by the new coronavirus, as well as Premier Li Keqiang’s instructions and requirements. Following the arrangements of the municipal Party committee and the municipal government, they respond calmly, make careful arrangements, and exert every effort to prevent and control the spread, ensuring that the city’s residents can enjoy a peaceful and auspicious Spring Festival.

The four groups of Buddhist disciples in Shanghai are closely monitoring the epidemic and fulfilling their mission of loving the country and their religion, embodying the dual responsibilities with practical actions. To express the Buddhist sentiment of ‘great compassion without conditions and great compassion for all beings,’ and to contribute to the victory over the epidemic, the Shanghai Buddhist Association has donated 5 million yuan to the Shanghai Charity Foundation. This donation is specifically designated to support the prevention and control efforts against the pneumonia epidemic caused by the new coronavirus.

On January 25th, the first day of the Lunar New Year, Vice President Dinghui of the Municipal Buddhist Association, Secretary-General Zhang Guoming, and Director Cao Shuhong of the Office visited the Municipal Charity Foundation on behalf of the Buddhist Association to make a solemn donation. Zhang Hua, Deputy Chairman and Secretary-General of the Municipal Charity Foundation, and Deputy Chairman Shi Nanchang accepted the donation and, in return, presented a donation certificate.(Zhuoma)