DDM Followers in Thailand Took Refuge in the Three Jewels – the Former Abbot President Gave Buddhist Teachings on How to Live a Life without Worries

DDM Association of Dharma Supporters in Thailand held a "Praying for Blessings and Refuge-taking Ceremony" and a special lecture at its venue in Bangkok at 9:30 am on August 6. During the ceremony, DDM former Abbot President Venerable Guo Dong transmitted the Three Refuges and Five Precepts to 20 participants. The refuge-takers jointly vowed to take refuge in the Three Jewels-- the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha-- in front of the Buddha statue. In the presence of their families and friends, the refuge-takers joyfully fulfilled their wish to take refuge in the Three Jewels and thereby become followers of the Buddha.

Amidst the sincere recitation of the Guanyin Bodhisattva's name, the Venerables hung a Buddha pendant around the neck of the refuge-takers, while those in attendance offered them their heartfelt blessings, wishing them a smooth journey of learning and practicing Buddhism. At the end of the Refuge-taking ceremony, Venerable Guo Dong kindly reminded the Buddhist newcomers to frequently return to DDM's branch centers to participate in practice activities or serve as volunteers to benefit others.

Afterward, Venerable Guo Dong gave Buddhist teachings to the audience with the theme of "Nothing to Worry About - Live a Life without Worries". Venerable Guo Dong first asked everyone: "What is the meaning of life?", "For whom are we working hard?" And "for whom are we busy?" He then explained the differences between ordinary people's life, the self-aware life, and the Bodhisattva's life. At the same time, he emphasized: "Our physical life is limited. We should cherish this precious life to do meaningful things"; "the spiritual life is infinite, and the most important thing is to settle the mind and body and build a healthy personality"; "our life of wisdom is endless; we should learn to practice the Six Perfections and myriad good deeds, thereby cultivating both blessings and wisdom." With regard to how can we live a life without worries, Venerable Guo Dong reminded the audience to learn to employ the spirit of the "DDM Fivefold Spiritual Renaissance Campaign" as a way to deal with greed, hatred, ignorance, arrogance, doubt, wrong views and other afflictive emotions. As for the method to directly eliminate ignorance and afflictions, Venerable Guo Dong suggested that we should constantly feel shame and use repentance as a part of our practice. However, we shouldn't feel regrets and remorse because this results in a mind of vexations.