The Flaming Mouth Dharma Service is held twice a year at Hsi Lai Temple, once on the afternoon of the Sangha Day celebration, and once more to conclude the weeklong Emperor Liang Repentance Service.
The service originated when a monk named Ananda was meditating in the forest and encountered a ghost king named Jvalamukha (Flaming Mouth). The ghost king told him that he would soon pass away and fall into the realm of hungry ghosts. Frightened, Ananda sought the Buddha’s guidance. In response, the Buddha taught him to bestow food to hungry ghosts and explained that this practice of generosity would ensure that he lived a long and healthy life.
Although Humanistic Buddhism emphasizes practicing Buddhism in the human realm, it does not deny the existence of other realms. Services like this are ways for us to cultivate our compassion and wisdom by including all sentient beings in our practice.
While the majority of this service is conducted by the presiding Venerables, as participants we are able to support the atmosphere of the service through our chanting, mindfulness, and prostrations. This service is held in Mandarin Chinese, however an English edition of the liturgy is available to guide attendees.