Than Hsiang Temple recently organized an event known as the Seven-Day Amitabha Recitation Retreat (Novitiate Programme). This event was opened to all Buddhists aged between 18 to 60 years of age. Its main objectives were to fully comprehend the Buddha's teaching on understanding the dharma and putting it into practice; also it is a means to provide an intensive course on chanting. Among the activities conducted during the event were chanting, praying, circumambulating, etc and a talk on the method of chanting.

Seven-Day Amitabha Recitation Retreat (Novitiate Programme) was based mainly on the chanting of Amitabha Sutra for 7 days. During this period, the objective was to achieve one-mindedness throughout the chanting. > says, “If a good man or woman hears the name of Amitabha and keeps the name in an undisturbed mind for even one day, two, three, four, five, six or seven days, when the man or woman comes to the end of his/her life, Amitabha Buddha will appear before him/her with an assembly of Bodhisattvas.”> says “By keeping Amitabha in mind and chanting Amitabha, He will come for you when you are about to die. You are sure to see Amitabha Buddha and enlightenment is not too far away.”

During the Seven-Day Amitabha Recitation Retreat (Novitiate Programme) period, all the preceptors led a communal life, not a family or an individual life. They had a disciplined and steady life style. Every preceptor must wake up early at half past four in the morning and observe the precept of fasting after noon. However, enough drinks were provided for them at specific times. Special arrangements were made for those with gastric problems or slight ailments. All problems were amicably resolved due to proper arrangements.

In these seven days of special conditions, preceptors wore no gold or any decoration. They refrained themselves from going out, receiving visitors, taking phone calls, talking with one another as well as reading any publication. They tried their best to lay down all mundane chores and cultivate with perseverance. They remained in control of their mind and body at all times and kept them always in a tranquil state.

Ven. Wei Wu of Than Hsiang was the Chief Reverend of this Fo Qi event. He was assisted by a team of learned monks comprising Ven. Fa Qing, Ven. Zhen Xin, Ven. Zhen Mo, Ven. Ji Zun 、 Ven.Ji Zheng 、 Ven.Hai Zhi 、 Ven.Xim Rui 、 Ven. Pu Wen、 Ven. Xian Li , Ven. Chuan Chi 、 Ven. Chuan Ben and Ven. Yan Xian. All these dharma teachers were very diligent. They were concerned with the daily needs of the preceptors during these seven days. With a calm mind, they also shared the joy of cultivation with the preceptors. Influenced by the dignity and sincerity of these dharma teachers, the preceptors truly felt the joy of undisturbed cultivation and also strengthened their uninterrupted efforts in their cultivation throughout this Buddha Name Recitation Retreat (Noviciate Programme) event.