The Monastic Sangha of the Blue Lotus Temple will recite the Ratana Sutta 10,000 times over the course of 50 days in order to use the power of its words to spread health, blessings, and protection to the Temple’s members, visitors, and indeed all living beings.
The Ratana Sutta (The Jewels Discourse) is chanted to invoking healing, strengthening, and blessings. This is the story:
The city of Vesali was afflicted by a famine, causing death, especially to the poor. Due to the presence of decaying corpses, evil spirits and vicious animals began to haunt the city; this was followed by a pestilence. Plagued by these three fears of famine, non-human beings, and pestilence, the citizens sought the help of the Buddha, who was then living at Rajagaha.
Followed by a large number of monastics, (including Ananda, his attendant), Lord Buddha came to Vesali. With the arrival of the Master, there were torrential rains which swept away the putrefying corpses. The atmosphere became purified, and the city was cleansed.
Thereupon the Buddha delivered the Jewels Discourse to Ananda, and told him to tour the city with the villagers, reciting the Sutta as a means of protection. Ananda followed the instructions, sprinkling water from the Buddha’s own alms bowl. As a consequence, the evil spirits departed, and the pestilence subsided.
Please bring a tightly capped vial of water or sand, or small stones or crystals to be blessed. Be sure to have your name on the item. (Do not bring costly items that may be lost or stolen.)
There will be a special Datu Puja ceremony on Saturday, November 22nd , where Buddhist relics (datu) will be displayed.
We need sponsors for each day of chanting. Sponsor an entire day for $50, or join a group for part of a day. Sign up in the Temple or on Eventbrite.
Dates: Saturday, Oct. 25th through Saturday, Dec. 13th
Times:
Mondays: 6:00 to 7:30 AM & 5:15 to 6:50 PM.
Tuesdays: 8:15 to 9:50 AM & 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
Wednesdays: 6:00 to 7:30 AM & 5:15 to 6:50 PM.
Thursdays: 8:15 to 9:50 AM & 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
Fridays: 6:00 to 7:30 AM & 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
Saturdays; 8:15 to 9:50 AM & 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
Sundays; 6:00 to 7:30 AM & 4:00 to 5:30 PM.