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Building A Buddhist Family, With Happiness and Bliss To Cultivate and Attain Realization together. The Blessing Speech given to 80 newly wed couples on August 25th, 2000, Grand Master Lu at the Hong Kong Rey Tseng Temple Reading the list of names here is equivalent to reading your names in front of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. When you raise your hands and nod your heads, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas recognize you. It is as if all of you have reported to them. Today, in front of all the various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma Guardians, one pair after another of newly wedded couples will be empowered to walk on the same path and build a Buddhist family together. People of the same faith cultivate together on the same path. The relationship is even closer for a husband and wife. Together, they will fluctuate forwards and backwards on the spiritual path. With one heart, they will rejoice in the same merits and achievements. They will be companions to each other. You can set a time to supervise each other for cultivation. (Everyone laughs). "Supervising each other" means to set a definite time for praying and cultivating so you cannot be lazy and find an excuse to skip the session. You will help each other walk the same path, hand in hand. A human life is transient. When people get married, some have already consumed one third of their life, with only two thirds left. Some have walked one fourth, only three fourths of the road left. Some have journeyed one fifth, still have four fifths left. The remaining time is what the couple can cherish to hold hands and accompany each other on the Dharma path. With a cultivating soul mate, the path will be more perfect. There is a Tang poem with the phrase, "looking at each other tirelessly". How difficult!!! (Everyone laughs) When both of you have looked at each other enough, it is time to turn around and start looking at Buddhas! (Everyone laughs). If you are bored with staring at each other's faces, then try staring at the Buddha's face. A newly wed couple will usually enjoy a sweet period at first. Later, you have to search for a similar interest. Each of you may have to compromise a little to find an interest you can pursue together. Cultivating together is a good way to share an interest. When you share a faith, you can share similar methods of cultivation. Together, you can chant mantras and the epithets of the Buddhas. When "looking at each other tirelessly" is no longer enough, then would be a good time to move your concentration to Buddha. In this way, you will be able to love each other until your hair turns gray. Sometimes, when you share hobbies such as gardening, music or the arts, your family life becomes more integrated and harmonious. In a way, it is necessary to share similar interests to bring your family life into a state of harmony. When you take your wedding vows in front of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, they will empower and bestow you with happiness and bliss. You will develop harmony in many areas. Every couple will be strongly bound in their hearts, in merits, and in cultivation achievement, which will also lead them to a successful marriage. This is the reason that I add in the phrase "to cultivate and to achieve together" to the vows everyone takes in front of the altar. Later, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will purify and bless you with the holy water. May all of you be forever happy, be completely fulfilled, and experience the Dharma joy arise in your hearts together. Together, may you reach to the Other Shore (Pure Land). My wish for all of you is to have the second generation of "True Buddha disciples" as soon as possible. (Everyone laughs and applauds)
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