The Opportunity to Practice Together

Time flies, and the years pass silently. Unnoticed, we are already approaching the end of November. This is the last weekend group practice of the year, as in December, we will celebrate the Amitabha Buddha's Birthday and the Amitabha Seven-Day Dharma Assembly. Upon hearing this news, many practitioners sighed, "Life is like a fish in shallow water." The opportunity for group practice is rare and precious; every session is invaluable.

After the afternoon dedication, Master specially gave a teaching: Many people long for the pure practice of reciting Buddha’s name but are hindered by various distractions and rarely enter the main hall. Some, although they have entered, are so entangled in worldly affairs that they leave hurriedly without completing even one incense offering. Group practice is not easy, and blessings are impermanent. We must cherish the present opportunity, diligently recite the Buddha’s name, and cultivate boundless merit.

Rejoicing in Merits, Every Small Contribution Adds to the Radiance of the Pure Land

The dignity and purity of Mituo Village are supported by every volunteer who sincerely assists. Here, we would like to express special gratitude to two brothers who specially came to help clean the third-floor dormitory of the dining hall, making the place more neat and dignified. This is truly heartwarming. Rejoicing in their merits! At the same time, we are deeply grateful to those resident practitioners who silently dedicate themselves. They clean and maintain the purity and dignity of the temple every day, and even the toilets are so clean that they bring joy to everyone. This day-by-day perseverance is the foundation for the long-lasting purity of the temple.

Snow Melts, Clear Skies, and the Pure Land Appears with Exceptional Conditions

A few days ago, the weather fluctuated between warm and cold, with frequent changes in the sky. On Thursday, light rain fell; on Friday morning, heavy snow covered the roof, as though winter had arrived. However, as the practitioners from Vietnam and New York arrived from different directions, the sky over Mituo Village gradually cleared, and the snow silently melted, as if it had never been there. The two-day weekend was bright with sunshine and gentle breezes, and such a pure atmosphere made everyone marvel at the rare and auspicious conditions, with the Buddha’s light blessing us.

This Pure Land of Amitabha Village is not easily achieved. Every inch of its grandeur has been realized through the continuous dedication of countless practitioners, who have offered the three types of donations with persistence. From the seating of the Great Buddha to the completion of the Seven-Treasure Pool, from the internal renovations to the preparations for the Dharma Assembly, every corner embodies the efforts and merits of everyone. Therefore, when some practitioners suggested simplifying the meal offerings to lighten the workload, the kitchen volunteers still insisted on carefully preparing the food. They believed that such rare opportunities for group practice must be met with the best efforts, leaving everyone with warm and joyful memories and inspiring more people to come here for practice.

Similarly, the practitioners in New York did not spare any effort. They specifically prepared the precious Buddha fruits (Shakyamuni fruits) to present the “fragrant fruit and bright light” of the Pure Land. These fresh fruits seemed to infuse the human world with the radiance of the Pure Land, awakening everyone’s aspiration for rebirth and renunciation. How could one not long for such a Dharma center?

Looking Ahead, Together Creating a Splendid Path of Dharma

In the coming months, Mituo Village will fully prepare for the December Buddha’s Seven-Day Dharma Assembly and the Three-Period Remembrance Dharma Assembly led by Master Wudao in January next year. This is a grand event eagerly anticipated by Pure Land practitioners in North America and an exceptional opportunity to gather the wisdom and strength of many people. We firmly believe that every sincere contribution will turn into the blessings of practice for many others in the future and will leave a valuable mark in the promotion of Dharma in North America.

Impermanence in Gathering and Parting, Cherish Every Moment

Human gatherings and separations all follow conditions. With a lifetime of over 20,000 days, compared to the vast universe, it is but a moment of birth and death. Su Dongpo once sighed, "What is life like, everywhere you go? It should be like a flying wild goose treading on snow. Occasionally leaving traces on the snow, the goose flies on without concern for where it’s been." People often sink into the impermanence of life, but those who, knowing the impermanence, still dedicate themselves to supporting the temple and selflessly offering their help are the true fields of blessings.

Some say the prosperity of a temple arises from countless dedicated efforts. The practitioners who quietly stay behind after meals to wash dishes and clean up always think, “Because someone takes responsibility, more people are able to practice.” It is this kind thought that helps the Pure Land of Amitabha Village to thrive and enables more people to hear the Dharma.

Welcome to Sign Up for the Buddha’s Seven-Day Dharma Assembly and Share the Dharma Joy

In this pure and dignified temple, every session of group practice is a rare opportunity to accumulate pure merit. We hope everyone will eagerly sign up for the upcoming Buddha’s Seven-Day Dharma Assembly, unite in reciting the Buddha’s name, wish to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, and together attain the Ultimate Bliss!