KECHARA

20
HIGHLIGHTS • KECHARA HOUSE
ULLAMBANA PUJAS AT
KECHARA HOUSE
Kechara House held an
Ullambana Setrap Puja on 17 th
August (English Prayers) and
19 th August (Chinese Prayers).
Setrap and Dorje Shugden pujas
help generate merits for those
who have passed away to gain
a fortunate rebirth and alleviate
their suffering if they’re reborn in
a lower realm. Merits were also
dedicated to the living to lessen
the obstacles they may face in
life and to promote their general
well-being.
Thanks to the effort of Kechara
pastors and staff, there were
over 1,500 participants of all ages
present at both sessions that
were held at Kechara House. The
pastors were steadfast in sharing
dharma, which the participants
clearly valued.
Participants were also able to
make offerings to the Three
Jewels before the event began.
Offerings of light were available
from 10 th August until the end of
the event on 19 th August.
The first day of the Puja started
with a welcome speech that
explained Ullambana and the
importance of dedicating merits.
How Ullambana came about:
After attaining arhatship,
Maudgalyayana – a disciple
of Buddha Shakyamuni – saw
through the power of his
clairvoyance that his mother had
taken rebirth as a hungry ghost.
He petitioned the Buddha to
teach him a method that he could
use to alleviate her suffering.
The Buddha instructed him to
make offerings to the Buddha
and Sangha in order to generate
merits, which he could dedicate
towards his mother to ensure she
took a fortunate rebirth in the
higher realms.
It is in commemoration of
Buddha Shakyamuni’s teaching
of this method, through his
compassion for others, that
Ullambana is celebrated every
year. The festival is celebrated
to show love and care for those
who have passed on and even for
those who still remain with us.