Buddhists worldwide converged on October 29th to observe the Buddha-Stipulated Day of Releasing Lives, an admirable day dedicated to compassion and liberation. Originating in 2009, this tradition finds its roots in the teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, who, after completing a monumental Buddhist activity, led His disciples in releasing captive lives and declared this day as a time to extend compassion to all beings. In 2023, the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Culture and Art Museum and the World Buddhism Association Headquarters commemorated this occasion with life-releasing events in Marina Del Ray, California, and World’s Fair Marina, Flushing, New York.
The practice of releasing captive lives holds deep significance for Buddhists. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III once imparted in the Dharma of Cultivation, “All living beings in the six realms of reincarnation within the three spheres of the universe have been since beginningless time my fathers and mothers in the revolving cycle of reincarnation.” Furthermore, “The Brahma’s Net Sutra – The Book of Bodhisattva Precepts” explicitly teaches the importance of compassionately engaging in the practice of releasing captive animals into the wild and freeing living beings from suffering.
On October 28th, the Monastery of Hua Zang Si Temple in San Francisco, along with Buddhist disciples, organized a fish release event at the San Rafael Port, located at 110 Loch Lomond.
Hua Zang Si Abbess Ruzun Ruohui emphasized, “Our acts of compassion are not confined to specific days or places. Guided by the teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Shakyamuni Buddha, we believe in intervening whenever and wherever beings face dire fear or calamity, offering them safety and liberation from suffering. As the saying puts it, ‘We hold dear the continuity of their lives and cannot bear to witness their untimely end.’ Our driving force is compassion and empathy, with a desire to bestow happiness and freedom upon all sentient beings, relieving them from the burdens of suffering.”
Buddhist disciples in Taiwan organized a fish release event at the ocean beach.
Buddhist disciples at PinDong Taiwan released crickets.
In 2023, nations worldwide continuously struggle with prolonged regional conflicts, ongoing wars, economic turmoil, and the devastating impacts of climate change, resulting in a profound loss of lives and widespread suffering. From storms, flooding, earthquake, to wildfires, 2023 has already been a record catastrophic year for weather and climate disasters globally. On this occasion of the Buddha-Stipulated Day of Releasing Lives, individual Buddhists, temples, and religious organizations from around the world have come together in unity to conduct life-releasing activities. Their shared aspiration is to dedicate all merits to the well-being of living beings. May adversity be vanquished, and may all living beings find prosperity and wisdom, leading to lives filled with goodness. May nations thrive and may peace reign supreme throughout the world.
Global Buddhists Unite in Compassion: Commemorating the Buddha-Stipulated Day of Releasing Lives
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Peace LiLy 