On July 31, 2016, The Middle Way Meditation Institute, Iloilo (Philippines) organized the 2nd Inner Peace Gathering which is equivalent to the Ceremony to Offer Sustenance to the Lord Buddha on the first Sunday of the month of Wat Phra Dhammakaya. This was organized at the University of The Philippines Visayas. There were about 60 Filipinos that came to be apart of this gathering.
These participants ranged from students of all grade levels to professors and working professionals. The activites started with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem followed by performances of the Virtue Sport Club and Mind Cooler Club. After that, Ven. Burin Thitakusalo explained about the importance of Offering Sustenance to the Lord Buddha and how important it is to accumulate merit meditating together every month.
Once the teaching monk finished explaining this, they all perform the Ceremony to Offer Sustenance to the Lord Buddha together. After the ceremony, the representatives got to pledge the verse to offer midday meal to the monks in the Pali, English, and Tagalog languages. Once they finished pledging the verses, they offer meals to the monks and had lunch together. After lunch, there was a special interview “Keep up the Good Work”.
The interviewees were elementary school student, university student, and a generous supporter named Maam Kate Suresca. They were asked about the benefits that they gained from meditation. The students said that they received peace, were able to release stress, and were doing better in school.
As for Maam Kate Suresca, she said that her life changed drastically. Before, she had to take anti depressants due to the sudden loss of her husband and having an autistic child. But when she came to take part in the 7 Days Middle Way Meditation Retreat in Chiangmai, Thailand and practiced meditation, she noticed her depression was getting better. When she came home from the retreat, she didn’t have to take anymore anti depressants. It was like she was given a new life. She also believes in merit and the importance of accumulating merit on a regular basis. After the interview, everyone got to make donations to support the activities that will be held by The Middle Way Meditation Institute, Iloilo (Philippines).
The day ended with everyone feeling happy and joyful of the merit they made that day.
