Single-Minded Diligence, Purity and Solemnity — A Record of the Ullambana Buddha Recitation Retreat (Part 1)

During this year’s Ullambana Festival, fellow practitioners from different places gathered at Mituo Village to participate in a three-day Buddha recitation retreat.

Although the retreat lasted only three days, it was deeply fulfilling. Buddha recitation, walking meditation, prostrations… from early morning until dusk, under the compassionate guidance of the Dharma masters, everyone practiced together, relying on the support of the assembly and following the rhythm of the group.

Through each recitation of the Buddha’s name and each respectful prostration, our normally busy bodies and minds gradually became still. The three days of shared practice were filled with a sense of peace, stability, and solemnity.

 

One Buddha Recitation, One Step at a Time

In the Buddha Hall, the recitation of the Buddha’s name continued without interruption.

The assembly slowly practiced walking meditation. With every step forward, the mind gradually settled along with each recitation of the Buddha’s name.

It may seem that we are simply repeating the Buddha’s name and taking one step after another. Yet when we truly put our practice into action, we discover that what requires the most training is bringing the scattered mind back, again and again.

Take the step right in front of you. Recite this present phrase of the Buddha’s name with sincerity.

The practice of the three-day retreat is built up little by little through these seemingly ordinary moments of the present.

 

Every Prostration Arises from Sincerity and Reverence

During the prostrations, everyone joined their palms, offered respectful greetings, and bowed before the Buddha, again and again.

The body may become tired, but through each prostration, the mind gradually becomes more peaceful and settled.

Master Yin Guang wrote in Letter Two in Reply to Layman Gao Shaolin:

“In recitation, chanting, mindfulness, and all forms of practice, sincerity and reverence should be the foundation.”

The two words “sincerity and reverence” may seem simple, yet they run through the entire retreat.

Reciting each Buddha’s name attentively, completing each prostration with reverence, and allowing the mind to remain present in this very moment—this is genuine practice.

 

A Noon Offering, A Heart Filled with Reverence

At the noon offering, the entire assembly gathered before the Buddha to make offerings together.

The offering table was carefully arranged, with flowers, incense, fruits, and other offerings respectfully placed. Amid the sounds of the Dharma instruments, everyone stood with palms joined in reverence. The Buddha Hall became filled with an even deeper sense of solemnity and peace.

This solemnity also came from the quiet preparations made by many people.

Some arranged and cleaned the Buddha Hall. Some prepared the offerings. Some assisted with the Dharma instruments, while others took care of the arrangements at the site.

Everyone contributed their own effort, together bringing about a pure and solemn noon offering.

The beauty and solemnity of the offering were not simply what could be seen before us. They also reflected the collective reverence and dedication of everyone who came together to support and complete this practice.

 

Three Days Completed, A Shared Aspiration Dedicated

On the final day, everyone joined together for the dedication of merits.

The Buddha recitation, walking meditation, prostrations, and all the efforts made throughout the three days came together at this moment as a shared aspiration.

Afterward, the assembly participated in the Mengshan ritual according to the established practice.

After several days of shared practice, the minds within the Buddha Hall had become even more peaceful and settled than when we first arrived. The sound of the Buddha’s name, the Dharma instruments, and the sincere and reverent hearts of the assembly together brought this retreat to a solemn and complete conclusion.

 

A Heart of Gratitude and Filial Reverence

The Ullambana Festival is also a time to cultivate gratitude and filial reverence.

The three-day Buddha recitation retreat has come to a close, but what is truly worth carrying with us is not merely the collection of images captured in photographs.

It is the fact that we sincerely recited the Buddha’s name, consciously took each step of walking meditation, and, amid our busy lives, gave our minds a period of quiet and purity.

With every recitation of the Buddha’s name and every prostration, we bring this spirit of gratitude into our everyday practice.

We are especially grateful to the Dharma masters for their compassionate guidance throughout these three days. Through their guidance during the practice, as well as their timely reminders and teachings, everyone was better able to gather the mind, remain present, and practice with greater clarity and stability.

We are also grateful to every fellow practitioner and volunteer who helped make this Buddha recitation retreat possible.

May we continue to remember the peace, stability, and reverence we experienced during these days even after leaving the Buddha Hall. May this purity and diligence not remain only within these three days of retreat, but continue with us throughout each day that follows.

Namo Amitabha Buddha.