The winter solstice has long been associated with the upcoming arrival of the Chinese New year with preparations and pre-new year festivities dating back to ancient Hangzhou history.

Lingyin Temple held the traditional Winter Solstice Ceremonies from Dec 19th to 21st of 2012, with recitation of Sūtra of The Great Vows of Kṣitigarbha Earth Store Bodhisattva and ritual practices to benefit life and past lives of the world.

This event focuses on the spreading the Buddha’s compassion, minimizing suffering in the worlds, and accumulating good deeds in the effort to seek wisdom and blessing.