Deities and Faith
What does the story of the Three Dragon Flower Assemblies express?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
The Three Dragon Flower Assemblies form a transmitted story in Mother Goddess faith. It says humans forget their original pure nature after reincarnation, become driven by greed, anger, and ignorance, and drift through rebirth. The Jade Emperor gathers immortals, seeking someone willing to descend and help people recover the path of cultivation and returning home.
At the first and second gatherings, no immortal volunteers. Guanyin Bodhisattva urges the Golden Mother of the Jade Pool, whose mother-child connection with beings offers the best chance of persuading them to return. The Mother initially feels the time is not right. At the third gathering, the story says the Jade Emperor becomes furious, and Guanyin and Shakyamuni Buddha jointly encourage her until she accepts the great vow.
I have also reminded people that a story remains a story; consider its meaning. It expresses the Mother’s love and concern and the difficulty of guiding people. Do not remember only grandeur and divine dialogue while neglecting your own nature and willingness to reduce greed, anger, and ignorance. Using the story to improve today’s practice gives it meaning in life.