THE HEART OF LIBERATION

      On Sunday, August 4th, 1974, a "Dharma Gathering to Liberate the Living" will be held at Berkeley Marina to celebrate the anniversary of the enlightenment of Avalokite4vara Bodhisattva. Sponsored by the Sino-American Buddhist Association, Gold Mountain Dhyana Monastery, and the International Institute for the Translation of Buddhist Texts, this colorful and traditional Buddhist ceremony involves purchasing birds and fish from slaughter houses, transporting them from the edge of death to the ocean shore, and setting them free.

The elaborate ceremonies concentrate participants' thoughts on the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in repentance of all karmic obstacles to liberation.  Then the animals are released in a joyful burst of wings. The message: oppression, war, and killing can be rooted out without violence if we respect th6 right of beings to live and be free, and liberate them. We can do this by transforming our hostile, aggressive, and. jealous thoughts into hearts of compassion and peace; in liberating other creatures, we liberate ourselves.

In general we must all realize that our actions are usually motivated by other than pure principle. We must all, young and old, leaders and citizens, give birth without cease to hearts of great compassion, break free from harmful habits, and apply the true principles of human life to the community of all living beings. We must renounce ourselves and rescue others, benefit ourselves by benefiting others, respect all creatures, and see the universe of beings as one family. This is the true meaning of the heart of liberation.

The day's activities will begin at 9:00 AM at Gold Mountain with traditional mantras and chanting. Those who attend the chanting and the High Meal Offering will be invited to a tasty vegetarian feast. At 12:30 the Venerable Abbot of Gold Mountain will give an instructional talk on the Great Vehicle. The assembly will then go to the Berkeley Marina at the end of Spinnaker Way for the Dharma Gathering to Liberate the Living which begins at 5:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to bring relatives and friends to any of these activities. Please let us know a few days in advance if you plan to come to the morning ceremonies and lunch.