Creating Good Karma from Master Xin Ding’s Visit to Indonesia
reported: Liu Setiawan
Jakarta, September 30, 2024/Indonesia Media – Yayasan Berkah Dharma Lestari (BDL) sees the significance of the visit of Master Xin Ding or known as Ding He Shang, from Yunlin Taiwan, to Jakarta and Bandung for five days, especially in terms of seniority and lecture material. In addition, Master Xin Ding also guided zen meditation activities in the old building (hundreds of years old) Candra Naya Jl. Gajahmada No. 188 West Jakarta. “(Master Xin Ding’s visit) is good karma for Indonesian Buddhists, especially Mahayana (school) followers. Because of Master Xin Ding’s seniority, it is parallel to the significance of the Heart Sutra, a very famous sutra in Mahayana Buddhism,” BDL chairman Arifin Tanzil told the editorial team.
Master Xin Ding has served in several leadership positions in the Mahayana Sangha, such as secretary of Fo Guang Shan for religious affairs, managing director of the Ilan Buddhist Society, President of the American Buddhist Youth Association, Vice President and later was trusted as president of the Taiwan branch of BLIA. In addition, Master had served as the head of the Longhua Temple, Hsi Lai Temple in California, Pu Men Temple in Taipei, a member of the board of the Humpty Dumpty Institute, New York and so on. In the Dharma explanation, Master Xin Ding again reminded of the perfection of wisdom (Maha Prajna Sutra) in the Heart Sutra. Although only written in 260 Mandarin characters, the Heart Sutra contains the most profound wisdom in Mahayana Buddhism. “The enthusiasm of Buddhists was very high to follow the lecture at the Novotel Jakarta (hotel). There were also members of the Mahayana Sangha who attended, businessmen and so on who followed the lecture session until the end. A total of around 350 people,” said Arifin Tanzil
Several officials in the Directorate General of Buddhist Community Guidance (Bimas) of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, such as Nyoman Suryadarma, Pembimas Jakarta, Suryana and others participated in a series of activities during the 5-day visit of Master Xin Ding. The event was also interspersed with performances by several artists, singing Buddhist songs. “The last time Master Xin Ding visited Indonesia was about 14 years ago. We have been waiting for a long time, and only today (29/9) did we have the opportunity to meet again. All parties also supported including entrepreneurs, and the head of INTI (Indonesian Chinese) Women, doctor Metta and others,” said Arifin Tanzil. (LS/IM)
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