Renunciation of Sramanera Zhen Zhi

Submitted by miyun on Sat, 09/01/2012 - 03:10

Story by Miyun / Photos by H.S. Seow

On Friday, 31 August 2012, a ceremony of renunciation was held at 10 p.m.at the Main Shrine. Except for chanting,the whole ceremony was conducted in English.Venerable Zhen Ru acted as the leading master.

Sramanera Zhen Zhi’s Spiritual Preceptor was Venerable Wei Wu, abbot of Than Hsiang Temple.

He was given the tonsure in the evening the day before renunciation.

●Meaning of Renunciation
Source:Renunciation in Buddhism (Liberation From Grasping),By Barbara O'Brien, About.com Guide
"The Pali word found in the sutras that is usually translated as "renunciation" is nekkhamma. This word is related to a Pali term meaning "to go forth" and also to kama, or "lust." It is most often used to describe the act of a monk or nun going forth into a homeless life to be liberated from lust. However, renunciation can apply to lay practice as well.

Most broadly, renunciation can be understood as a letting go of whatever binds us to ignorance and suffering. The Buddha taught that genuine renunciation requires thoroughly perceiving how we make ourselves unhappy by grasping and greediness. When we do, renunciation naturally follows, and it is a positive and liberating act, not a punishment.

The Buddha said, "If, by forsaking a limited ease, he would see an abundance of ease, the enlightened man would forsake the limited ease for the sake of the abundant." (Dhammapada, verse 290, Thanissaro Bhikkhu translation)"

Photos of Renunciation Ceremony are as below:
◆Invitation Ceremony