Let us pay homage to Reverend Liaoming, His Eminence Sakya Zhengkong Lama, His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa, and Vajra Master Thubten Dargye. Homage to the lineage gurus of the past, the Triple Jewels of the shrine, and the presiding homa deity, Thousand-armed, Thousand-eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva).

Shimu, fellow vajra masters, senior reverends, reverends, dharma instructors, dharma assistants, chairmen, dharma students, and to all dharma students watching over the internet, may all endeavors be auspicious (applause).

Just now we completed a smooth and auspicious session of Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Homa (applause). We sincerely pray that Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva will emanate magnificent light to fulfill our wishes and bless our endeavors (applause). Now, let us visualize Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara sitting atop our heads, and blessing those who have attended and those who have registered for the homa ceremony. We sincerely pray that the luminosity of Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva will shine on each and every sentient being. By her decree, karmic hindrances will be eradicated and all wishes will be granted (applause).

Today is the homa of Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, so I would like to take this opportunity to confer the pith teaching on this Bodhisattva. For an unknown number of eons, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has served countless Buddhas. She is an attendant to many Buddhas. She has also pledged a great vow to rescue all sentient beings and liberate myriads of beings. Despite her strenuous effort, however, one day Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva discovered that there were still countless numbers of sentient beings that needed to be saved. Oddly enough, the number of sentient beings had neither waxed nor waned. There wasn't one more or one less sentient being. How could the number of sentient beings neither increase nor decrease if the Bodhisattva had strived to save so many for so long? This puzzle can only be solved by someone who is enlightened. At that time, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva could not understand because she had not attained enlightenment yet. It is true that there are Bodhisattvas who have not attained enlightenment yet.

(to be continued)