The 9th Chanting of Medicine Buddha’s Mantra was successfully held at the Sau Seng Lum (Puchong) Exhibition Centre on 1st January 2023. More than 100 devotees recited the mantras with gratitude and prayed for blessings. They were grateful for a safe 2022 and wish for calamities to be eliminated and longevity for all living beings in the New Year, and jointly wished for world peace, prosperity, country prospers and its people live in peace.

The Abbess of Sau Seng Lum Buddhist Temple, Rev. Chang Heng, was also at the scene to bless the devotees, wished them to continue their courageous and steadfast faith in the New Year, and walk sturdily towards the dawning future. Reverend also led the devotees to recite the prayer for world peace in front of the Bhaiṣajyaguru Bell.

“Although the endemic has not been completely eliminated, but with everyone’s self-discipline, we all have broken through the siege of the endemic, and we were able to bring people closer to each other again. With a feeling of gratitude, the mind and spiritual distance between people is no longer at distance, and we cherish every opportunity to meet and get together.”

On the occasion of ushering in the New Year with new hopes, devotees ought to re-examine what they have done and the life they have experienced in the past year. Through the changes in the years, they can transform their destiny, welcome the New Year and the new atmosphere with an optimistic mindset, and utilise Buddhism as the compass of life.

Rev. Chang Heng encouraged devotees to practice kindness in life with heart, words, and mind. Also, always practice ‘the three nourishments’ for more meaningful lives. The ‘three nourishments’ are nourishing our physical body, mind, and ambition, which means taking good care of our physical body, cultivating a mind that is calm and free from greed, and vowing to stop all evils and to do all good.

“Everyone encounters different causes and conditions every day in the growing years. We must remember that tranquillity can produce wisdom. Therefore, when we use calmness and intelligence to deal with various causes and conditions of prosperity and adversity, we will let go of attachments and be at ease without worrying.”

Rev. Chang Heng also praised the devotees participating in the recitation for their determination and willingness to pray for world peace and people’s well-being. Reverend also encouraged devotees to grasp the blessing, virtue, and the right causes and conditions of group practice. Through spiritual cultivation, they can improve their morals, thoughts, and verbal cultivation; have a good influence on people around them; and benefit more sentient beings.