【Description】
Grandmaster JinBodhi was so moved by a mother who offered light for her faraway son that years later he still recounts the story with great emotion. What is so special about this story? How do light offerings benefit you?
Let’s watch Grandmaster JinBodhi’s video to discover the auspiciousness and wonder of light offerings.
【You will learn】
- The significance of light offerings
【Content】
Grandmaster JinBodhi said, “When we encounter issues that human strength can’t solve, we need to seek help from Buddha’s power. Buddha’s compassion, illumination, blessings and protection can help us overcome the crises in our lives.” Offering lights to the Buddha, we will receive energy blessings from Buddha and bodhisattvas, so that we will have enough wisdom and courage to face various challenges in life. Light offerings also benefit our career, academics, wealth and family.
I remind you to offer light to the Buddha and deities. Several decades ago, I saw a mother offering a light. I asked her why, and for whom she offered light. She said, “It is for my son.” I asked, “What happened to your son?” She said, “He left me to work in a city after graduating from high school.” She worried about her son. She lit a light in front of the Buddha, not for warmth, but to help awaken her son’s wisdom. So he could make the right decisions in moments of truth. In that moment, I thought this mother’s wish was so beautiful. Even till this day, I will always be able to remember that moment.
So offering light is meant to send spiritual illumination to ourselves and to the people we wish to protect. These people can then do good deeds, which will truly benefit them. My view may be shallow; this action only benefits ourselves and doesn’t harm others. Many confused people often make a choice that harms themselves. Though they don’t harm others, they suffer from their choice.
So offering light before the Buddha, deities and ancestors sends ourselves and our families compassionate, wise, warm and protective illumination. It burns away and dispels all bad karma and any dark and negative energy. Then we will have an illuminated, joyful, smooth and auspicious life. We transform misfortune into fortune. Any potential disaster will change into an auspicious moment.
Some people have experienced many difficulties in just one year. Right after a surgery, a car accident occurred. After that, their child was kidnapped. All these bad things happen to one person in a short time period. Everyone wants a fortunate and smooth life. That is ideal. But for many people, they might have a period of time when bad things occur frequently.
Now I tell you the truth. During New Year or important holidays, let’s offer light for ourselves and our families; with illumination, we become auspicious. I hope this auspicious, bright and wise light will illuminate everyone; may it bring everyone a smooth, auspicious, peaceful, healthy, long life.