Happy Birthday to Our Fundamental Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha ｜ 恭祝本师释迦牟尼佛圣诞
On the 8th day of the fourth lunar month, we celebrated the sacred birthday of our Fundamental Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.
农历四月初八，我们迎来本师释迦牟尼佛神圣的圣诞吉日。
According to the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha had in fact attained Buddhahood countless eons ago. Yet, out of infinite compassion, He manifested in this world to guide and liberate sentient beings from suffering.
据《妙法莲华经》记载，释迦牟尼佛久远劫前早已成就佛果。只因大悲无尽，倒驾慈航、应化世间，教化众生、拔除一切烦恼痛苦
He was born in ancient India (modern-day Nepal), in the garden of Lumbini, to King Suddhodana and Queen Maya.
佛陀降生于古印度（今尼泊尔）蓝毗尼园，父为净饭王，母为摩耶夫人。
It is said that when the Buddha was born, He emerged from Queen Maya’s right side and was immediately able to walk. He took seven steps in each of the four directions, with lotus flowers blooming beneath His feet. Nine dragons then appeared and bathed Him. Hence, on this auspicious occasion, Buddhist temples around the world hold the Buddha Bathing Ceremony to commemorate our great teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.
经典记载，佛陀降生之时，从摩耶夫人右胁而出，落地即能行走。于四方各行七步，步步生莲；随即九龙吐水、沐浴佛身。因此，普天寺院皆于此时举行浴佛大典，缅怀世尊、感念佛恩。
Shakyamuni Buddha taught 84,000 Dharma gates to suit the different capacities, karmic conditions, and dispositions of sentient beings.
释迦牟尼佛为契合众生不同根器、因缘与心性，开示八万四千法门，普度群迷。
These 84,000 Dharma gates may broadly be categorised into two paths: the difficult path and the easy path.
八万四千法门，总摄为二道：即难行道与易行道。
Among all Dharma gates, the Pure Land Dharma gate is regarded as the easiest path, as practitioners rely upon the compassionate vows and supportive power of Amitabha Buddha to attain rebirth in His Pure Land. In other paths, one has to rely on one’s own effort to cut off attachment and delusion in order to realise Buddhahood, which is extremely difficult and near impossible in the Dharma-ending Age (2000 years after the Buddha’s Parinirvana).
诸多法门之中，净土法门最为殊胜简易。修行人依靠阿弥陀佛的大悲愿力加持，即可往生西方极乐净土、成就佛果。其余法门皆需凭借自身力量，断惑证真、破除执着，在末法时代（佛陀涅槃后两千余年）修行极为艰难，几乎难以成就。
Throughout many Buddhist scriptures, Shakyamuni Buddha repeatedly praises Amitabha Buddha and His Pure Land, encouraging all beings to generate faith and vows to attain rebirth there.
诸多佛经之中，释迦牟尼佛屡屡赞叹阿弥陀佛与西方极乐净土，殷勤劝勉一切众生，发菩提心、立往生愿，求生净土。
May we continue to learn from the Buddha, cultivate diligently, practise Nianfo, and vow to attain rebirth in Amitabha Buddha’s Pure Land, where we may ultimately realise Buddhahood
愿我等大众依教奉行、精进修持、至诚念佛，发愿往生阿弥陀佛极乐国土，究竟圆满佛果。
On this auspicious day, we also rejoiced in welcoming 42 participants from 16 different nationalities who received the Three Refuges and Five Precepts. Congratulations to everyone who took part in this precious ceremony and officially entered the path of the Buddha-Dharma.
值此殊胜吉日，道场亦喜迎十六个国家、四十二位善信圆满受持三皈五戒。恭喜诸位善信正式皈依三宝，踏入正法修行之路。
May the seeds of wisdom and compassion continue to grow in your hearts.
愿智慧与慈悲的种子，在诸位善信心中生生不息、茁壮成长。
