On December 27, 2018, the seven-day winter Chan retreat at Lingyin Temple began as usual according to the tradition of the Chinese Buddhism, with over 100 resident monks participating in the retreat. This winter Chan retreat would last seven days and end on January 2, 2019.

In the afternoon, the resident monks performed the ceremony of offering incense to the patriarchs at the Hall of Patriarch, and then ritually approached the abbot’s quarters to ask for a leave of life and death (leave of absence）

The Abbot of Lingyin Temple Venerable Master Guangquan said in his Dharma talk to the monks:
＂The Chan meditation room is the place to select the best qualified Buddhists to be Buddhas. All should cherish this seven-day Chan retreat by leaving aside distractions and affiliations, reflecting on thoughts and seeking for Buddhist enhancement.＂

Performing the ceremony of offering incense to the patriarchs at the Hall of Patriarch

Ask for a leave of life and death (leave of absence) from the abbot

Venerable Master Guangquan giving a Dharma talk to the monks

Monks ready to walk around the Chan meditation room with a flat wooden stick

Monks walking around the Chan meditation room with a flat wooden stick

Supervising the monks with a flat wooden stick

Venerable Master Guangquan giving a Dharma talk to the monks at the Chan meditation room