On April 22nd which is also Earth Day, the Lotus Mornings Dharma Study Group, held a special reading session, the facilitator, Gregg Astoorian shared the article, “Buddha Nature,” written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun on how to rediscover the true self, the mind that is inherently pure. 17 members participated.

Gregg Astoorian shared that he had benefited greatly from the Master’s teaching. He learnt that learning the Buddha Dharma is getting to know oneself which is a form of respect and affirmation of oneself.

The group was subsequently divided into two to discuss how to explore one’s pure Buddha nature and share their understanding and benefits from learning the “Buddha nature”. Sanjeev Sharda shared understanding all sentient beings possess the inherently pure Buddha nature helps him to develop forbearance and equanimity. Martyn Knowles also pointed to the part of the essay “Cessation of delusion and ignorance lead to enlightenment” which stipulated the inspiring listening to the voice of wisdom in one’s heart and looking inward for solutions." 

Towards the end of the speech, Venerable Ru An shared a Chan story “The Entire Body Is the Eye” taught by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. She told all the students that Buddha-nature is inherently complete and that Dharma is to be found in daily life. 

Lotus Mornings Dharma Study Group has moved from online to in-person with the easing of the epidemic. The members were from various parts of the world such as Canada, Africa, Brazil, Portugal, India and Indonesia. Even though every one of them speaks English, they have many different cultures and native languages. These meetings provide the opportunities for people with different backgrounds to come together to learn Humanistic Buddhism and how it can bring peace and hope to the world amidst war, conflicts, climate emergency, poverty, diseases and calamities. Indeed, where there is Dharma, there is always a way. 

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