During the Seven Day Amitabha Recitation Retreat (Fo Qi) last year, the staff of Than Hsiang Temple had to help in manning the various stations required for the successful organisation of the Fo Qi due to the huge number of preceptors at that time. This year, the number of preceptors was more manageable and the staff was once again allowed to participate in the Retreat. I took the opportunity then to participate on Monday, 19 November 2007 .

I arrived at the Multi Purpose Hall, Level 5 of Than Hsiang Temple, around 7.45am to be in time for the 8.00am session when the Eight Precepts were transmitted to the preceptors by Venerable Wei Wu, the Abbot of Than Hsiang Temple. Following this were two sessions of Amitabha Buddha-name recitation, circumambulation and sitting meditation. The regular and rhythmic Amitabha Buddha-name recitation and circumambulation helps the wandering mind to calm down and stay focused.

I found this to be especially so during the second session when the hall became still during the sitting meditation. My mind gradually calmed down during the recitation and circumambulation and when we sat down for the sitting meditation, the silence in the hall at once helped to still my thoughts and I felt so at peace with myself and with the world. When the ting of the bell sounded to end the sitting meditation, I felt such reluctance to open my eyes and get up. I was so reluctant to give up that moment of stillness. Then I realised that I was being attached to that pleasurable feeling of calmness and I had to learn to let go.

During the Repentance session after the noon meal, the regular chanting and prostrations again helped to still my mind and I enjoyed a moment or two of Dharmic bliss. This continued to be the case for the rest of the day and while it was not one continuous one-pointed concentration, I did maintain a certain level of mindfulness for the majority of the day.

My deep gratitude to the Sangha members of Than Hsiang Temple for conducting the Fo Qi, thus giving me an opportunity to practice the Dharma. My gratitude too for the staff and volunteers who put in extra efforts to ensure those participating in the Fo Qi had nourishing, energy sustaining food for us to carry on in our Dharmic practice.

With such strong support, I can only strive harder to practice the Dharma and not slack in this practice. As the Abbot, Venerable Wei Wu, pointed out, life is impermanent and as time goes on, this lifetime is being reduced, not added on, and with this realisation comes an urgency to practice the Dharma now. Not tomorrow, not later, not in the future, but NOW.

Amituofo.