As the Enlightenment Day of Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin Bodhisattva) falls on July 31 (the 19th of the sixth month in the Lunar Calendar), 2018, Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou held a solemn ceremony of refuge in the Triple Gem. The Buddhist believers from across the country assembled at the temple to attend the ceremony conducted by the Abbot of Lingyin Temple Venerable Master Guangquan.

At 8:30 in the morning, the Buddhist believers who came for conversion to Buddhism gathered at the Dharma Hall and listened attentively to Master Benkong, who illustrated the significance and merits of the conversion, and to Master Changfa, who explained the rituals and rites of the conversion.

Then Venerable Master Guangquan gave them a Dharma talk to elaborate the meaning of taking refuge in the Triple Gem—the three Jewels of Buddhism that Buddhists take refuge in and look toward to for guidance, i.e. Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, and its importance. He earnestly encouraged them to hold dear the Triple Gem so as to be empowered from the spirit of benevolence, gratitude and inclusiveness, and to be devoted to the study and practice of Buddhism after the conversion in their daily life and work.

Afterwards, the Buddhist believers took refuge in the Triple Gem as instructed by the Buddhist masters at such a solemn and orderly ceremony. All of the newly converters were filled with Dharma bliss.

Venerable Master Guangquan on his way to the ceremony

Worshiping the Buddha

Master Benkong illustrating the significance and merits of the conversion

Master Changfa explaining the rituals and rites of the conversion

Venerable Master Guangquan giving a Dharma talk

At the refuge ceremony

The newly converters filled with Dharma bliss