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萬佛聖城於三月十九日（週日）舉行慶祝觀世音菩薩聖誕法會，並接著進行為期一週的觀音七。由洛杉磯、聖荷西等地遠道前來參加法會的信眾，為觀音誕添增了許多熱鬧氣息。
恆實師在慶祝觀世音菩薩聖誕法會的午齋開示中指出，一般人在生活中不免有許多恐懼、憂慮。但是只要誠心念誦觀世音菩薩聖號，必能逢凶化吉。他舉例說，多年前法界佛教總會的兩位比丘從舊金山三步一拜到西雅圖，拜完全程後，宣公上人當眾指出：原本接軌道進行極可能撞及地球的彗星「科胡泰」竟突然轉向，消失在太空中。宣公上人認為兩位比丘發心修苦行三步一拜，迴向功德所產生的效應，功不可沒。恆實法師在今年觀音誕為大家追述這則往事，並提醒我們，無論面對什麼樣的天災人禍，但能專心念誦觀世音菩薩聖號，必能大事化小，小事化無；恆實法師特別強調專心的重要，因為「專一則靈」。
恆良則指出「人為萬物之靈」，也唯有人類有能力念誦觀世音菩薩聖號。當我們念誦時，不要忘了眾生面臨的危險與困難，要將我們念誦的功德迴向出去，才能報答觀世音菩薩的大慈大悲。
最後恆律師歡迎大家回來慶祝我們大家長－－觀世音菩薩的聖誕，並供養大眾兩顆無形的糖果。第一個糖果吃起來很甜，可是後來是苦的，因為這世界上所有的痛苦，都是從考慮我們自己的快樂來的；看起來很甜，但是後來所有的問題都從這裡開始。第二個糖果嚐起來是苦的，可是後來是甜的。那就是我們只考慮、祈禱別人的快樂，這樣不但帶給了世界快樂，自己也會受益。所以恆律師勗勉大家要學觀自在菩薩，做任何事情都自自在在，就是不要老是考慮自己。考慮自己，就會緊張不自在；不考慮自己，就得大自在。
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On Sunday, March 19, the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas celebrated the birthday of the Bodhisattva Who Observes the Sounds of the World (Guanshiyin) and commenced a weeklong Guanyin Recitation Session. Faithful laypeople from Los Angeles, San Jose, and other places added to the joyful atmosphere with their presence.
During his Dharma talk at noon, Dharma Master Heng Sure said that everyone experiences fear and anxiety at some point in his or her life. However, if one sincerely recites Guanshiyin Bodhisattva's name, misfortune can be transformed into auspiciousness. As an example, he recounted that many years ago, two Bhikshus of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association did a pilgrimage from San Francisco to Seattle, making a full prostration every three steps. When they completed their pilgrimage, the Venerable Master Hua disclosed that a comet named Kohoutek, which had been heading for our planet earth on a near-collision course, had mysteriously changed its course and vanished into outer space. The Venerable Master reckoned that it had something to do with the merit dedicated by the two Bhikshus who had resolved to cultivate the ascetic practice of bowing every three steps. After relating this event on Guanyin Bodhisattva's birthday, Dharma Master Sure reminded everyone that no matter what kind of calamity we might be facing, as long as we sincerely recite Guanyin Bodhisattva's name, we can certainly lessen great disasters and make small ones disappear altogether. Dharma Master Sure stressed the importance of being sincere: "Single-minded concentration results in efficaciousness."
Bhikshuni Heng Liang Shi pointed out that as "the most efficacious of all creatures," humans have the unique ability to recite Guanshiyin Bodhisattva's name. When we recite, we must not forget the disasters and hardships that living beings face. We should dedicate the merit of our recitation to them, so as to repay the tremendous kindness and compassion of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva.
Bhikshu Heng Lyu Shi welcomed the assembly to the birthday celebration of our great parent, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, and offered everyone two pieces of invisible 'candy.' The first piece of candy tastes sweet, but has a bitter aftertaste, because all the sufferings in the world result from considerations of one's own happiness. It appears sweet, but actually generates all sorts of problems later. The second piece of candy tastes bitter, but has a sweet aftertaste. It symbolizes our thoughts and prayers for the happiness of others. In that case, not only do we make the world happy, we ourselves benefit as well. Heng Lyu Shi urged everyone to emulate the Bodhisattva Who Contemplates at Ease [another name of Guanshiyin], being carefree and at ease and not thinking of one's own benefit. When one considers oneself one becomes nervous and ill at ease. Not thinking of oneself, one attains great freedom.
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