02/08/2025

Offering to the Buddhas and Heavenly Beings—Three Texas Fo Guang Shan Temples joined in Ceremony

By Humanistic Buddhist Reporters Bishan Su & Tuy Shi

From February 8 to 9, 2025, the three Fo Guang Shan temples in Texas held the Offering to the Buddhas and Heavenly Beings Dharma Assembly at the Dallas Fo Guang Temple. Venerables Jue Ji, Yong Jia, and Yi Song led eight volunteers from Xiang Yun Temple to assist with light offerings, food preparation, and photography, fostering learning and cultural exchange among the temples.

The Offering to the Buddhas and Heavenly Beings is a grand ritual in which devotees make offerings to the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) and celestial beings. The food preparation team began planning weeks in advance, with over 30 volunteers working tirelessly to complete the various vegetarian dishes by the early morning of February 9. Volunteers from Xiang Yun Temple praised the Dallas team’s professionalism and devotion, gaining valuable experience in maintaining food freshness, portion sizes, and timing control.

During the Dharma talk, Venerable Yong Jia explained that the Twenty-Four Heavenly Beings in Buddhism serve as Dharma protectors. On the ninth day of the first lunar month, Buddhists pay homage to the Triple Gem and make offerings to these celestial beings in gratitude for their protection.

Although Xiang Yun Temple was not the host temple, they dedicated a reverent altar to the Triple Gem. Sister Tracy from Houston helped with the setup, ensuring an austere and solemn atmosphere. At 5:30 AM on February 9, under the guidance of Sister Lisa from Dallas, the Xiang Yun Temple food preparation team completed over 30 elaborate vegetarian dishes for the offering.

At 10:20 AM, a dedicated offering procession of 24 devotees—including children, teenagers, and participants in traditional attire—solemnly presented their offerings, accompanied by six Vajra attendants, creating a deeply moving scene. After the offering, over 70 devotees joined the ceremony remotely via live stream, following Venerable Ru Yuan in chanting, prostrating, and paying sincere homage, ensuring that their devotion remained unwavering.

Special thanks go to Sisters Lisa and Tracy, as well as Christina and her daughter from Los Angeles, whose dedicated support helped make this Dharma Assembly a resounding success, filling everyone with Dharma joy and gratitude!