Dear all,
The practice of giving merit away is a special one in normal circumstances and one that we do once a month during Sunday Service. Today I would like to share this ceremony with you because of two good friends who have recently lost a parent each. The ritual of dedicating merit is usually done in a group, however I am hoping that we can translate it onto the web so that we can continue to acknowledge our efforts in our practice and then transfer it to others in a more public forum.
The following is the verse that we recite after transferring merit to specific individuals, groups, or causes and below it are the obituaries of the two people who have passed away:
With the practice of this meritorious chanting of sutras and the Holy Names may we dedicate ourselves to repay what we owe to our parents, teachers, friends and predecessors who have done all they could for our sake. May we earnestly pray that those who are living shall continue to rejoice in happy and prosperous lives for all time, while those who are no longer living shall be released from suffering and be reborn into the Land of Utmost Bliss.
May we also pray that Joan Bryant and D'Alessandro will be born into Amida Buddha's Land and receive the boundless blessing.
Massimo wrote this morning to say that his dad passed away around 10 am Italian time. He spent all day and night and then went home to rest at 6.30 am. The hospital phoned him after he'd left but he did not manage to arrive in time to see him die.
From Massimo, 'All friends and relatives are expressing their su:port. My father was a good man and many people have loved him ...'
Teresa wrote yesterday that her mom passed away at 5:21am. Below is the notice that will be in the paper tomorrow:
Joan Bryant
Surrounded by love, Joan Bryant, at age 71 died peacefully on Sunday April 25, 2010 at Parkwood Hospital. Joan is the beloved wife for 53 years of Kenneth Bryant of Dorchester. Devoted mother of Teresa Bryant and Shannon Bryant. Cherished daughter of Kathleen Mennell and Bert Mennell (deceased). Loving grandmother of Kathleen Schreurs, Peter Schreurs, Gregory Schreurs, Laura-Marie Schreurs and Francis Ruarte. She dearly cared for her sister Donna Mennell (deceased) and is loved by her sisters Gayle Brooks and Noreen Legresely. Joan will be fondly remembered by her sons by marriage; James Schmeiser, Fernando Ruarte, Frank Schreurs and Andrew Cornies and will be sadly missed by a caring circle of friends and extended family members. Visitors will be received at the John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street, London on Tuesday, April 27th 2010 from 2-4 and 7-9 o'clock. A memorial Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Hope Chapel, 21 Grosvenor Street , London on Wednesday April 28th at 11:30am. Private family interment in St. Peter's Cemetery.
Namo Amida Bu
