Konde Rinpoche explained to the participants
that the significance of the Naga Vase Puja was to help the sentient beings in
the sea through the offering of naga vases filled with medicinal herbs and
sacred objects. When thrown into the sea, the contents of the vases will
dissolve into the water and help heal the sea beings of their sickness and
cleanse them of their negative karma. This is one of the ways through which a
practitioner can help other sentient beings. He also explained the higher importance
of learning the teachings of the Buddha over a mere reception of empowerments,
as he found more people seemed to be drawn to empowerment ceremonies than those
giving the teachings of the Buddha. In addition, he re-iterated the need for
all Buddhists to respect the different schools of Buddhism as they are meant to
address the needs of followers of different capacities. Acho Rinpoche stressed
on the important practice of “egolessness”, as a practitioner will only enjoys
the fruits of true liberation when he attains the state of “egolessness”.
All participants later went out to the sea to
make offering of the naga vases by throwing all vases containing medicinal
herbs and sacred objects into the sea. Acho Rinpoche explained the rite of first
making a prayer to the King of Naga for his swift attainment of Buddhahood,
followed by seeking His blessing of good fortune. Interestingly, the sea was
rough even though there was no sign of wind. At one point, there was even a
strong wave splashing against the boat taken by Acho Rinpoche, drenching him wet.
Dharma Sister Yue had a vision of a white King of Naga coming forward to
welcome the group, thus explaining the presence of strong waves without the
sign of wind.
Among the many naga vases being offered, there
was a very special one with the name of “Lee Kuan Yew” written on top. It was
offered by a Singaporean practitioner who volunteered to offer a naga vase on
behalf of our beloved founding father of Singapore who was then still warded in
an emergency ward in the Singapore General Hospital. While we were out there in
the sea around 4pm, a huge thunder storm happened in Singapore, clearing the
haze in the Singapore air. And on the very same night, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew drew
his last breath……
Homage to
Sun-Moon-Lamp Buddha.
Homage to Naga
King Buddha.
Homage to
Sakyamuni Buddha.
Reported by
the Buddha Eye Studio, Singapore.
