Date:31th May 2012 - 3th June 2012
Venue:Multi Purpose Hall (the fifth floor)
Participants:112 people

1.Khaw Choon Leng, Penang

This is my first Three-day Amitabha Recitation Retreat. Before I came, I thought that it was a meditation retreat (Vipassana). I was shocked when I realized that 90% of the day was chanting and not meditation.
I was disappointed in the beginning but later I started to find peace when I concentrated on group chanting.
I had a lot of doubts in my mind. It may be helpful if Shifu can arrange some private time for certain students who have enquiries. Maybe a short time each day can be allocated for them to meet Shifu。

When there are a lot of doubts and uncertainties, I cannot concentrate on chanting. Overall, I am glad that I had made an effort to attend this Three-day Amitabha Recitation Retreat. I benefited a lot especially on the 2nd day. I guess by then I had gotten used to the environment, timetable and expectation.

I will make an effort to come for the yearly Three-day Amitabha Recitation Retreat to continue re-charge my energy besides attending Vipassana Retreats at other places.

Last but not least a lot of thanks to all shifus, as they are all very kind, friendly, humourous, humble and approachable.

Bye!

2. Ding Diong Guan, Perak

First of all, for this Fosan (Three-day Amitabha Recitation Retreat), thanks to Than Hsiang, Shifu and all volunteers’ hard work to make this a success.

My intention for this Fosan is to bring Brothers and Sisters in the Dharma from my center to cultivate and learn in these three days. The majority of the 35 members in my group are committee members and volunteers in our Buddhist Association of Sitiawan. They hardly have any chance to cultivate with peace of mind in our own centre because they are involved in organizing activities for the association. Such an opportunity will only be possible in a cultivation activity at another centre where they are merely participants without any organizing responsibilities. I wish all of them can attain “ixin buluan”(a non-distracted one-pointed mind).

Thanks to Shifu and apologies for anything wrong that I could have done during these few days.

3.Fo Wye Ching, Bukit Mertajam

First and foremost, I would like to thank all the Venerable Sirs for conducting such a meaningful event. Wu Xian Gan En (Boundless Gratitude). Not only the biannual Amitabha Recitation Retreats (Three-day and Seven-day) act as boosters to us but also the time and venue are most appropriate and conducive to our cultivation. How far are we now from achieving reciting the Buddha Name with a non-distracted one-pointed mind?

I have been practising reciting Buddha’s name from my mind for a few years. I wanted to be born in Amitabha’s Pureland and this is a ‘must’. But I am always worried that at the time of death I may not be able to open my mouth to call Amitabha Buddha to fetch me. Thus, I am trying my very best to recite the Buddha name from my mind. However this is not very easy at home as well as the working place.

So, I thought I would be able to do so during the retreat at Than Hsiang Temple. It looks like I have failed too. Conclusion: It is not the place but the mind that should be held accountable. I have to “kill” the greediness in my mind first before I can achieve that.

Now I know my weakness, I will try harder to tame my monkey mind.

Amituofo!