Jointly Making the Vow to Eternally Pass the Inexhaustible Lamp of Bodhi

February 20, or January 9 of the lunar calendar, marked the 12^th anniversary of Master Sheng Yen's passing. In memory of the Master, Dharma Drum Mountain held the virtual 2021 Passing the Lamp Day and Dharma Assembly at 7 pm at the Grand Buddha Hall of Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education, Taiwan. DDM monastics performed the Passing the Lamp Ceremony which was led by the abbot president of DDM, Ven. Guo Huei. By remembering the Master's life stories, teachings, and personal examples, and leading worldwide devotees to jointly make the vow, Dharma Drum Mountain hopes all participants can learn to apply the Buddha-dharma in their daily life.
 
Before the Passing the Lamp ceremony began, the monastics first commemorated the Master by reciting the Buddha's name in sitting. Then, they lit everyone's lamp one by one, signifying passing the compassionate vows of ancestral patriarchs, illuminating the darkness of our inner world with wisdom and compassion. Finally, to wrap up the assembly, the monastics and lay devotees jointly made vows and dedicated the merit.
 
Over the Internet, the abbot president reminded participants, "The Master's physical body may be gone, but his Dharma body, namely his teachings and personal examples, will always stay with us. The annual Passing the Lamp Day is also a day for us to reflect on how we have actually improved ourselves and benefitted others according to the Master's teachings. This is the significance of Passing the Lamp Dharma Assembly." 
 
 He further explained the idea of passing the lamp, which is referred to as the "inexhaustible lamp" in the Vimalakīrti-nirdeśa Sūtra, and used the expression—"great compassion as the oil and the great vow as the candle"—in the Avataṃsaka Sūtra to share that the big alms-bowl in the venue symbolizes all sentient beings. He encouraged devotees to take sentient beings' minds as the place of practice to cultivate both merit and wisdom. By lighting up our wisdom, we can help brighten up all sentient beings in the universe.
 
Given the constantly changing challenges over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world is looking forward to a life at peace and a return to normality. DDM hopes that devotees worldwide continue to promote Master Sheng Yen's ideal: Uplift the character of humanity and build a pure land on Earth. Wherever we are, we can always use the Buddha's teaching to calm ourselves and others, for the benefit of self and others.