Heaven Worship Dharma Assembly (Temple Retreat)

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Heaven Worship Dharma Assembly (Temple Retreat)

February 12

Heaven Worship Dharma Assembly

  • Date: February 12, 2025 (Wednesday, Lunar New Year’s 15th Day)
  • Location: Mahayana Temple Retreat
    710 Ira Vail Rd, Leeds, NY 12451

Offering to the Heavens (斋天): Origin and Significance

The practice of Offering to the Heavens (斋天), also known as Supplying to the Heavens (供天), originated during the Sui Dynasty. It was established by Master Zhiyi of the Tiantai School based on the Golden Light Sutra (Suvarṇaprabhāsa-sūtra), from which the Golden Light Repentance Rite was compiled.

In modern temples, the ceremonial complexity of Offering to the Heavens varies, leading to distinctions between Major Offering and Minor Offering. The Minor Offering (小斋天), known for its simplicity, follows the “Golden Light Sutra Offering Ritual” (金光明经斋天科仪), while the Major Offering (大斋天) is based on the “Mount Hua Offering Ritual” (华山斋天科仪), characterized by elaborate and solemn procedures. The Major Offering features grand ceremonies, dignified altars, melodious chanting, and elegant rhythms. It adheres to the rigorous inner rituals of the Water-Land Dharma Assembly, but the spiritual significance of both forms remains identical.

Scriptural Background and Spiritual Significance

In the Lotus Sutra (Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra), the Skillful Means Chapter states:
“The wisdom I have attained is profound and unsurpassed, yet sentient beings are dull in faculties, attached to worldly pleasures, and blinded by ignorance. How can such beings be liberated?”
Sentient beings are often deeply attached to the pleasures of the five senses, making it difficult for them to awaken to the truths of the Dharma. As a result, the Buddha contemplated entering Nirvana. Recognizing this, the great celestial kings, including Mahābrahmā and Śakra, approached the Buddha with reverence, hands joined in supplication, and requested him to remain in the world to turn the Dharma wheel.

Reflecting on the skillful means used by past Buddhas, the Buddha resolved:
“The path I have attained should also be taught through the Three Vehicles.”
He thus consented and first preached in the Deer Park of Varanasi, then traveled to various places, enlightening many sentient beings.

The Golden Light Sutra recounts that during the “Golden Light Assembly,” celestial beings made bodhicitta vows before the Buddha. They pledged to protect Buddhism, uphold the Dharma, cultivate good deeds, and refrain from evil actions. The Buddha instructed these celestial beings to traverse the human world with compassion, aiding virtuous individuals and supporting practitioners in their journey toward Buddhahood. Consequently, these celestial beings are also known as Dharma Protectors (护法诸天).

The Practice and Merit of Offering to the Heavens

Anyone who sincerely pays homage to and makes offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, recites the Golden Light Sutra, and follows its rituals with fragrant flowers and fine offerings scattered in all directions will receive the blessings of the Dharma-protecting deities, fulfilling their virtuous aspirations.

The celestial beings themselves emphasize that the Golden Light Sutra is a supreme ambrosial Dharma for them. Hearing its teachings not only enhances their vitality but also strengthens their supernatural powers. Reciting the Emptiness Chapter (空品) of the sutra during the Offering to the Heavens is considered the most sublime offering to the celestial beings.

The Deeper Meaning of Offering to the Heavens

Offering to the Heavens is not merely a folk practice of worshiping the Heavenly Emperor; it is a profound act of supporting and practicing the Dharma. It expresses gratitude for the protection of the celestial beings while praying for their descent to receive the offerings. Through these acts, practitioners aspire for the flourishing of the Dharma, ensuring that the Three Jewels—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—continue to serve as guiding lights for all sentient beings in the darkness of ignorance.

By honoring the celestial beings, making offerings with sincerity, and venerating the Three Jewels, practitioners pray for peace, harmony, and prosperity in the world. May the blessings of the celestial beings inspire all sentient beings to awaken bodhicitta and ultimately attain Buddhahood.

We invite you to join the sacred Heaven Worship Dharma Assembly to pray for blessings in the new year, including increased wisdom and compassion, family harmony, and career success, while sowing the seeds of merit for all sentient beings.

Come and experience the profound blessings of this ceremony in the serene surroundings of the Mahayana Temple Retreat.

For more information, please contact us at pr@mahayana.us or visit our website.

Details

Date:
February 12

Open Hours

8:30am - 5:30pm EST
Every Day

Contact Us

133 Canal Street, New York, NY 10002
Tel: (212) 925-8787
Extension 110 or 103

2025. All Rights Reserved.

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