Ritual of Food Offering to Sentient Beings in the Six Destinies

During the 14th Great Compassion Water and Land Service from November 21 to 28, 2020, Dharma Drum Mountain Hong Kong Centre organized its first Food Offering to Sentient Beings in the Six Destinies, a ritual that signifies how the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas compassionately deliver sentient beings from suffering to liberation. The ritual is meant to offer food and the teaching of the Dharma to sentient beings in the six destinies of existence. Apart from practicing giving, its main purpose is to invite beings in the ghost realm to listen to Dharma talks, helping them to be delivered through the power of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas' compassionate vows.
 
On the concluding day of the service, volunteers worked together to deliver the food presented in the ritual, including rice, fruits, and other groceries, to various community centers, to be given to low-income families and those in need. DDM Hong Kong Centre hoped to bring loving care and warm blessings to the public, thereby inspiring others to also spread kindness in society.
 
Prior to the service, the pandemic had brought uncertainties and challenges to the preparation work. It was thanks to the volunteers' help that these challenges were overcome, allowing the service to take place as scheduled.
 
Embodying the spirit of equal and universal giving—the central idea of the Water and Land Service, this ritual aimed to give provisions to ghostly beings and those caused by the pandemic, as well as to send out blessings to the whole world and express care to low-income families. Also, it helped build up karmic affinity between the Three Jewels, sentient beings, donors, volunteers, and recipients of the aid.


Text & Photo: Dharma Drum Mountain Hong Kong Centre
Translation: Hsiao Chen-An