Praying for the Victims of the Mass Shooting in Monterey Park - Led by Dharma Drum Mountain Los Angeles Center

Dharma Drum Mountain Los Angeles Center asked the public to chant the Buddha's name with a mind of "Universal Kindness and Great Compassion" to pray for those killed and injured in a mass shooting on the Lunar New Year’s Eve at Monterey Park. At 6:30 PM on January 31st, Dharma Drum Mountain Los Angeles Center collaborated with Compassion in SGV and other organizations and gathered together for a prayer ceremony in the parking lot of the Star Dance Studio, the site of the incident.


The ceremony was conducted by Venerable Guo Yuan, the Vice Abbot of Dharma Drum Mountain and the Abbot of DDM Retreat Center. He was joined by New York and Los Angeles sangha representatives and led 140 people and volunteers in chanting the Heart Sutra and the Buddha's name. 

The aim was to offer blessings and prayers for the victims of the mass shooting, as well as to commemorate and thank those who sacrificed their lives to remind us of the impermanence of life. The atmosphere was solemn, and several local news media were there to cover the event in an effort to comfort the public.

After the ceremony, six monastics consoled those in attendance, distributing prayer beads and copies of Master Sheng Yen's 108 Adages of Wisdom to each participant. The "Los Angeles Daily News" also specially reported Venerable Guo Yuan's teachings, in which he described the victims as great bodhisattvas and prayed that they could let go of everything in peace, and calmly move on to their next journey. He also wished the injured victims a speedy recovery and that their families and the public can bravely put this tragedy behind them and return to their normal lives.


Mr. Niu, one of the attendees, shared with the Venerable his gratitude for Dharma Drum Mountain in holding the ceremony, as he was present when the mass shooting happened. Two individuals beside him were sadly killed. Although he is fortunate enough to have survived, he still felt scared and insecure. He was thankful that the Venerable gave him the prayer beads and taught him how to calm his mind by chanting the Buddha's name. Together, with the other participants, he will dedicate the merits to the victims in the next 49 days. He stated that he is earnest to go to the center to participate in the Buddha-chanting ceremonies in the future.

DDM Los Angeles Center stated that they are more than grateful that people from all ethnicities came together to pray for the victims and their families, in order to ease the trauma of those who are suffering. DDM Los Angeles Center also hopes that all can let go of the hatred and strife in their hearts, dedicate themselves to promoting
peace in the society, and allow there to be peace
and ease in their own bodies and minds.

Text：鍾玟璟 (Wen Jin-chung ) Ashely Chiang 
Photo：David Wang、DDM Los Angeles Center (法鼓山洛衫磯道場)  
Translation：Ariel Shen (沈純湘)
Edited by：Keith Brown, Glen Sha