Living Buddha Lian Sheng Presides over the Consecration Ceremony of the Yue Lao Shrine, Blessing All with Fulfilling Relationships and Happy Families
[Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple News / By Reverend Lian Jin] On Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple solemnly held the consecration ceremony of the Yue Lao Shrine. Root Guru His Holiness Living Buddha Lian Sheng, Sheng-Yen Lu, was respectfully invited to preside over the ceremony in person. Hundreds of Elders, Masters, Senior Reverends, reverends, fellow practitioners, and devotees attended the ceremony, together witnessing this solemn, extraordinary, and auspicious occasion.
Yue Lao (Lord Yue Lao, god of love, matchmaking, and marriage, who ties an invisible red string between future soulmates) has long been revered for bringing people together in auspicious relationships and marriage.
Before the consecration ceremony, Abbot Master Lian Yin led the reverends and volunteers in sincerely preparing and decorating the shrine. Fresh flowers, fruits, cakes, buns, gifts, and other offerings were carefully arranged into colorful and exquisite flower and gift baskets, creating an abundant and magnificent display. These offerings were respectfully presented to Yue Lao, as well as to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Vajra Dharma Protectors, heavenly dragons, and all honored deities. Prayers were offered that everyone’s wishes may be fulfilled, relationships may be harmonious and complete, and families may enjoy happiness and well-being.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., Grandmaster arrived at the shrine together with Shimu Master Lian-Hsiang, welcomed by the enthusiastic cheers of the assembled disciples and devotees. The unveiling ceremony immediately followed.
Both the plaque and the couplet of the Yue Lao Shrine were personally inscribed by Living Buddha Lian Sheng. The plaque bears the words “Yue Lao Shrine” (月老祠), while the couplet reads:
“Love seekers gather here;
Yue Lao ties the red string of destiny.”
During the consecration ceremony, Grandmaster first used a white towel to bless and purify the sacred statue and the shrine. He then established the sacred boundary with the vajra bell and vajra scepter. Using a talisman brush, Grandmaster drew a consecration talisman upon a mirror to consecrate the sacred statue. He sincerely invoked Yue Lao to descend into the mandala, protect all sentient beings with affinities, and bestow harmonious and fulfilling relationships upon those who came to pray.
The ceremony proceeded in a solemn and peaceful atmosphere. With pure and sincere hearts, everyone prayed for Yue Lao’s divine protection and blessings, and for their wishes for auspicious and fulfilling relationships to come true.
After Grandmaster and Shimu offered incense, Abbot Master Lian Yin reported to Grandmaster that more than one hundred Yue Lao Blessing Pouches had been placed on the Yue Lao altar. Each blessing pouch contains a Yue Lao Love and Marriage Talisman blessed by Grandmaster. Those praying for an auspicious relationship who receive three consecutive shengjiao (affirmative divine responses) by casting the divination blocks may take one blessing pouch to carry with them.
Upon hearing this, the compassionate Grandmaster immediately revealed his playful, childlike spirit and decided to cast the divination blocks himself. To everyone’s delight, Grandmaster received an affirmative response and became the very first person to joyfully receive a Yue Lao Blessing Pouch. The disciples gathered around him burst into cheers, and Grandmaster, sharing in everyone’s happiness, laughed heartily.
How to Request a Yue Lao Blessing Pouch at Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple
Devotees who wish to request a Yue Lao Blessing Pouch may do so at the Yue Lao Shrine. Each blessing pouch contains a Yue Lao Love and Marriage Talisman blessed by Grandmaster.
The person seeking a blessing should first sincerely make a wish before Yue Lao. Then, in front of the shrine, cast the divination blocks—the red, heart-shaped moon blocks placed on the offering table. After receiving three consecutive shengjiao (affirmative divine responses), the devotee may respectfully take one blessing pouch.
Afterward, devotees are welcome to make a voluntary offering according to their wishes. By cultivating fields of merit and accumulating positive affinities through generosity, may the merits generated help bring an even greater spiritual response to one’s sincere prayers.
Yue Lao is the revered deity of love, matchmaking, and marriage. Holding the red string of destiny, Yue Lao has long been venerated for bringing together those who share the affinity for love and marriage.
After the Board of Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple sought guidance from Living Buddha Lian Sheng, the temple proceeded with the construction of the Yue Lao Shrine. Now that the shrine has been completed and officially opened, may the auspicious words personally inscribed by Grandmaster be fulfilled:
“Love seekers gather here; Yue Lao ties the red string of destiny.” May Yue Lao help bring beautiful and auspicious relationships to fruition.
Buddhadharma teaches the coming together of causes and conditions. Every encounter in this world arises from causes and affinities. A good relationship begins with an encounter, but it also requires compassion, respect, tolerance, and sincerity to nurture and sustain it.
May all those with affinity who come to the Yue Lao Shrine seeking love and marriage extensively plant wholesome causes, bring wholesome affinities to fruition through virtuous thoughts, and safeguard their relationships with compassion, respect, tolerance, and sincerity.
The consecration ceremony of the Yue Lao Shrine was auspiciously completed in a solemn and peaceful atmosphere. May the Buddha’s light shine universally, and may all those seeking loving relationships cherish their affinities, build harmonious families, and enjoy abundant happiness.
Following the completion of the consecration ceremony, Master Lian Yin led Grandmaster to the plaza behind the Main Shrine and to the Ksitigarbha Hall, where he reported to Grandmaster on the construction of the canopies for the various deities and the temple’s overall development. Grandmaster remarked that the newly constructed outdoor shrine areas appeared exceptionally solemn and elegant.
Through prayers, the tour, and exchanges among participants, the occasion not only brought an atmosphere of joy but also allowed everyone to experience the vision of the temple’s continuing growth and development.
Devotees at the event expressed great joy at having participated in the ceremony and personally witnessed the auspicious moment when Grandmaster received the affirmative divine response from the divination blocks. They also looked forward to carrying these blessings into the coming year, praying that everyone may enjoy peace and safety, harmonious families, increased merit and wisdom, and that the temple’s Dharma propagation endeavors may continue to flourish.
The entire event concluded successfully amid an atmosphere of joy, peace, and harmony. Filled with blessings and happiness, everyone looked forward together to a bright new chapter in their spiritual cultivation.
