[News] A ceremony was held at Dongguk University to celebrate the 2568th anniversary of the Buddha's birthday

 On Wednesday, May 1st, at Dongguk University's Jeonggakwon, a ceremony was held to celebrate Buddha's birthday (B.E.2568, 2024). The ceremony lasted from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., and many school officials attended the ceremony, including Monk Don Kwan, the chairman of Dongguk University, Monk Jeongje, the head of Jeonggakwon, and school President Yun Jae-woong. Starting with three-fold Refuge, the ceremony was conducted to learn the meaning and explanations of the Five Precepts, and burning of the arm ceremony was held. After that, people were awarded certificate, and the ceremony was concluded after the Four Great Vows: 1) I vow to save all beings, 2) I vow to end all sufferings, 3) I vow to learn all dharma teachings, 4) I vow to attain enlightenment.

   Monk Ja-hun said "After receiving the Five Precepts, it is important to always make sure and reflect on whether you are keeping the Five Precepts." Later, Monk Don Kwan explained the meaning of the Five Precepts. Monk Don Kwan emphasized the importance of Buddhists being flexible in following the Five Precepts in their daily lives. The Five Precepts means the 5 rules that Buddhists basically must observe.

   Later, burning of the arm ceremony took place. It is a ceremony to reflect on one's mistakes and to be reborn by holding a hot incense burner in his/her arm. People continued to recite Chamhoi Jineon during the burning of the arm ceremony. After the ceremony, Monk Don Kwan said, "We are all Buddhists now."

   People bowed three times, expressing their will to return to Buddhism. And after receiving a certificate, the ceremony was completed. This ceremony is held at Jeonggakwon every year in May. Every Donggukians can participate in this ceremony through the uDIMS. It is the first gateway to becoming a Buddhist, and through this procedure, people can be given a dharma name. If you want to be reborn as a Buddhist and want to be given a dharma name, the Dongguk Post recommends to attend the ceremony next year.