The birthday of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva falls on September 2 (the 30th day of the seventh lunar month) this year. At 6:00 pm, Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou held a Three Mahāsattvas Yoga Flaming Mouth Rite at the Hall of Medicine Buddha, marking a successful close of the Ksitigarbha Dharma Assembly in 2024.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is known for his great vows among the four principal bodhisattvas. “Ksitigarbha is patient and immovable like the great earth; his meditation is deep and profound like a secret storehouse.” Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is entrusted with the compassionate salvation of all sentient beings in the Three Realms, like a vessel for the Dharma as well as a guide who leads all beings out of sufferings in perilous journeys. Lingyin Temple held the Ksitigarbha Dharma Assembly from August 22 to September 2 (from the 19th day to the 30th day of the seventh lunar month), reciting the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Purvapranidhana Sutra for the benefits of both humans and heavenly beings. On the last day of this event, a Yoga Flaming Mouth Rite was conducted to offer food to the hungry ghosts, praying for national peace and favorable weather conditions. The dedication of merits to past and future parents and loved ones would help to eradicate karmic obstacles and increase blessings and wisdom. May all attain enlightenment and reach the Pure Land.
