2025 Three-Day Buddha-Name Recitation Retreat

-A A +A
Reported by : Hong Mei Yue

Than Hsiang Temple hosted a Three-Day Amitabha Buddha-Name Recitation Retreat from May 29th to June 1st, held at its Fifth Floor Multipurpose Hall.

On May 29th, around 12:00 PM, registration, donation counters, and Amitabha Prayer for Deceased donation counters were set up at the ground floor of Than Hsiang Temple. Many participants arrived promptly to register and make their donations. At 3:00 PM, all participants gathered on the fifth floor.

First, Venerable Zhen Nian introduced stress-relief exercises to everyone. Following this, Venerable Zhen Xin provided a thorough briefing on the rules of the three-day retreat, which the participants listened to attentively.

Subsequently, Venerable Zhen Ti explained the basic procedures of Buddhist etiquette. Beyond theoretical explanations, Venerable Zhen Ti also arranged for two participants to demonstrate how to wear and remove the Hai Qing (monastic robe), hold chanting books, perform correct prostrations, and pay respects, proving highly beneficial for the participants.

At 7:00 PM, a Purification Ceremony was also held on the fifth-floor Multipurpose Hall. After the ceremony, Most Venerable Wei Wu delivered a brief Dharma talk on the Eight Precepts and the significance of reciting Amitabha Buddha’s name. Afterwards, participants continued to listen to Venerable Zhen Ti’s explanation of the Four Kinds of Comportment (the dignified postures).

Additionally, under the guidance of the Sangha members, participants learned the sequence for circumambulating the Buddha, among other practices.

On May 30th and May 31st, the Formal Transmission of the Eight Precepts was held around 8:00 AM. Throughout these two days, participants devoutly and earnestly observed the Eight Precepts. Everyone maintained silence, diligently engaging in Amitabha recitation. Besides the formal acceptance of the precepts, the Sangha members also led participants in Amitabha Buddha-Name Recitation, circumambulation, and meditation sessions. These two days proved very fulfilling and enjoyable for the participants. At the same time, Venerable Zhen Xin reminded everyone to cherish these two days and strive diligently in their practice.

Additionally, on the evenings of these two days, at 7:00 PM, Most Venerable Wei Wu gave a Dharma talk on the key points of the Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra (Contemplation Sutra).

On Day One, Venerable Wei Wu expounded on the origin of the sutra – Queen Vaidehi’s request to the Buddha. The sutra begins with Queen Vaidehi’s immense suffering due to her son Prince Ajatasatru’s patricide and the imprisonment of her husband King Bimbisara and herself. Weary of this defiled world, she earnestly appealed to the Buddha for a pure land where she could be reborn and released from suffering.

On Day Two, Most Venerable Wei Wu elucidated the importance of cultivating Meritorious Acts (Pure Karma) and practicing the Sixteen Contemplations or Visualizations.

June 1st marked the final day of the Three-Day Buddha-Name Recitation Retreat. At 8:00 AM, participants had already gathered in the Fifth-floor Dining Hall to write their experience reports. Each participant wrote with great sincerity, deeply moved by the three days of practice.

Besides writing reports, a sharing experiences session was held at 9:00 AM. Each sharer expressed profound gratitude to Most Venerable Wei Wu and the Sangha members for their guidance, which enabled everyone to diligently practice Buddha-Name recitation with a peaceful mind throughout these three days.

At 11:00 AM, the Amitabha Prayer for the Deceased was held in the Main Shrine Hall on the 6th floor. Everyone was filled with Dharma joy.

At 1:00 PM, the Grand Dedication of Merit session took place. Following this, Most Venerable Wei Wu offered some heartfelt advice to the participants. With this, the Three-Day Amitabha Recitation Retreat successfully concluded.

******************************************************
More photos: http://thanhsiang.org/CH/node/6547
******************************************************

Spread the Buddha's teachings to guide more people to study Buddhism.
Continue diligently in the path studying the Buddha's teachings and listening to the Dharma.
Follow us on:
https://linktr.ee/thanhsiang