Listening Reverently to the Supreme Dharma Discourse and Celebrating the Holy Birthday of Namo Amitabha Buddha
From January 4 to January 13, the Las Vegas Charity Temple solemnly hosted a ten-day “Grand Prayer Dharma Assembly for Reverently Listening to the Dharma Discourse of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Celebrating the Sacred Birthday of Namo Amitabha Buddha.”
The assembly respectfully invited Venerable Shih Zhèng Dá, Vice Chairman of the World Buddhism Headquarters, to preside over the ceremonies. Under his compassionate guidance, participants reverently listened to the Dharma Discourse of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and took part in a series of profound and auspicious events, including:
- The Prayer Dharma Assembly in Celebration of Namo Amitabha Buddha’s Birthday
- The Great Compassion Avalokiteshvara Blessing Dharma Assembly
- The Universal Deliverance and Requiem Dharma Assembly for the Deceased
- A One-Day Chan (Zen) Retreat
- Group cultivation of the Vajra Yoga Perfected Practice
- Acts of compassion such as life release, charitable donations, and aid for the poor
High-ranking monastics, rinpoches, respected community leaders, and devoted lay practitioners from across the United States, Canada, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other regions gathered to participate in this rare and殊勝 (supremely auspicious) event.
The Vast Resonance of the Buddha’s Voice, Blessing All Beings
At 9:00 a.m. on January 4, the Dharma Assembly for Reverently Listening to the Supreme Dharma Discourse of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III officially commenced.
At the center of the mandala in the Grand Hall stood the sacred text “Explaining the Ultimate Truth through the Heart Sutra”, expounded by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. The altar was adorned with fresh flowers, the Eight Auspicious Offerings, colorful banners, incense, and lamps—radiating solemnity and auspiciousness.
Led by Venerable Zhèng Dá, dozens of monastics, rinpoches, and over a hundred distinguished guests and devotees respectfully welcomed the Buddha’s Dharma Discourse into the hall. Reverently listening to the Dharma Discourse of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III formed the spiritual heart of the entire ten-day assembly and was complemented by in-depth study of the Collected Canon of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III.
Venerable Zhèng Dá emphasized that true cultivation must follow the Buddha’s teachings through listening, contemplating, and practicing, integrating the Dharma into every detail of daily life. He encouraged participants to unite practice and understanding, allowing wisdom to arise naturally through consistent application.
After listening to the Buddha’s Dharma Discourse, many participants shared profound insights and transformative experiences. With sincere vows, they resolved to practice according to the Buddha’s teachings—
refraining from all evil, practicing all good, and benefiting all beings—
while jointly praying for world peace, national harmony, favorable weather, and the health and happiness of all sentient beings, so that wisdom and blessings may increase together.
Cultivating Body, Speech, and Mind—Receiving Great Benefit
During the assembly, Venerable Zhèng Dá also led group cultivation of the Vajra Yoga Perfected Practice and presided over the Great Compassion Avalokiteshvara Blessing Dharma Assembly. Many participants felt profound responses, sensing the compassionate presence of Namo Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva at the mandala. Some experienced relief from illness, inner peace, and extraordinary joy.
The One-Day Chan Retreat was guided according to the Great Chan Meditation Practice transmitted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. After completing ten meditation sessions, many participants reported physical healing, improved energy flow, enhanced concentration, and deep mental clarity. Some even experienced sacred meditative states without attachment, while the entire assembly was filled with the joy of Chan and Dharma bliss.
On January 13, as the Dharma listening sessions reached completion, participants engaged in a closing Dharma debate. The fourfold assembly divided into two groups, formulating questions and arguments based on Buddhist logic and authentic Dharma principles. Through reasoned discussion and lively exchange, participants demonstrated how daily cultivation leads to flexible understanding, deep insight, and genuine realization.
Releasing Life, Protecting Life—Dedicating All Merit Universally
This ten-day New Year Grand Prayer Dharma Assembly concluded in perfect auspiciousness. Acts of compassion—including life release and charitable donations to disaster-stricken areas—were carried out in succession, bringing the event to a wholesome and complete close.
Though more than ten days of intensive Dharma listening and group cultivation seemed to pass in an instant, the joy of the Dharma lingered in every heart. Participants made renewed vows to cultivate diligently, uphold the Buddha’s teachings, and bring benefit and happiness to all beings.
May the true Dharma of the Buddha spread throughout the world,
may sentient beings enjoy long life and increasing blessings,
may the winds and rains come in harmony, harvests be abundant,
may nations prosper, and
may lasting world peace prevail.
(This post is translated and adapted from a news report on 2026/01/15, originally published by the Las Vegas Chinese News Network. Translation by Linda Chang. For the original Chinese article, please see here.)
Source：Photos from Las Vegas Chinese News Network https://www.lvcnn.com/news.php?id=53597
Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/23/a-ten-day-grand-dharma-assembly-in-las-vegas/
Peace LiLy 