I had requested feedback from a recently completed class: http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/07/understanding-amituofo-via-the-amitabha-sutra-8th-run This is a part of what I received, a nice commemorative Amituofo coin with a message. I’ve never won any major prizes in my life and this is probably the closest to getting something that resembles a medal! Thank you for the encouragement!
Dear Bro. Shi’an,
“The Gift of Truth Excels All Other Gifts”
Thank you for sharing the Pure Land Teachings with us. You have delivered the teachings in a very concise, interesting and creative manner. We enjoyed the lessons very much and have benefitted a lot from them. We are glad to have an excellent Dharma teacher like you in the Buddhist world. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! Amituofo!
With appreciation,
Tuck Khuen, Amy, Ivy, Doris & Joey
A very meaningful gift indeed! It’s a gift of the Dharma too, as it has a verse for repentance and aspiration for birth in Pure Land. It’s now on my shrine at home.
This is the second time I have taught at a Buddhist centre (Buddha of Medicine Welfare Society) that issues certificates for its classes’ students. (The previous was at Singapore Buddhist Federation.) Above is a ‘sample’ certificate.
A class participant receiving her certificate from the Venerable (Xiantong) in charge of Dharma education. Bro. William is the coordinator and emcee. The centre was trying out to see how well received an English class would be, as most of its classes are in Chinese. To everyone’s pleasant surprise, including mine, 73 participants signed up for this class.
Some early birds for the graduation ceremony singing ‘Way Out West’. Here is the video played by the volunteer who really loves the song.
By an auspicious ‘coincidence’, the ceremony for this Amitabha Sutra class happened to fall on Amituofo’s birthday (last Sunday). I took the opportunity to share the inspiring story of how the 17th day of the 11th lunar month came to be regarded as his birthday.
Above are scenes of an interesting group discussion to wrap it up, on learnings from the course. We chanted the Amitabha Sutra and Amituofo’s name too. A fruitful day of practice with reverence to Amituofo! The best way to celebrate his birthday is surely to be mindful of him and to share his teachings. Namo Amituofo :-]
Related Articles:
Upcoming 2012 Classes
http://thedailyenlightenment.com/category/11
Scenes from the Class
https://moonpointer.com/new/2011/11/scenes-from-a-pure-land-class
Thank You for the Thank You Gift
https://moonpointer.com/new/2011/12/thank-you-for-the-thank-you-gift