July 15, 2014, 19th of June on the Chinese Lunar Calendar, thousands of visitors and followers braved the windy downpour to show respect on the anniversary of the foremost compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattava’s attainment of Buddhahood. Also on this auspicious Buddhist holiday, about 300 of the Buddhist followers arrived in the morning to take refuge in the Triple jewel—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha--the initiatory ceremony for Buddhists.

By 9:30am the participants were gathered in the Main Dharma Hall (Forthright Hall) of Lingyin Temple, listening attentively to the rituals and rites of conversion as the Dharma Masters detailed directions as well as the reason behind the traditions: the proper way to worship, make incense offerings, closed-palm prayers, position in the line-ups, etc.

In the grandeur of the Dharma Hall, chants for Sakyamuni Buddha sounded throughout as the faithful bowed and made incense offerings for the Triple Jewel, seeking to become disciples of the Triple jewel. Abbot Venerable Guangquan emerged to begin the proceedings by explaining refuge in the Triple Jewel (Trirantna) in his Dharma talk to the group.

In the Chinese language, this ritual ＂gui yi＂, also means returning and retreating to cultivation, methods of cultivation, and realized by following the methods in essential Buddhist texts; to end the suffering of all sentient beings, the Buddha established many Dharma doors. Through cultivation of proper dharma, all sentient Beings may cease to suffer, end the cycle of life and death, and attain Buddhahood. Refuge in the Triple jewel is only the first step, before a long road of cultivation. To open the heart of Bodhi and become a proper lay disciple who protects the dharma, it is essential to thoroughly examine classic Buddhist texts, have proper thought, proper senses, proper conduct, and cultivate the Bodhi way.

Majority of the turnout was by way of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangdong, and Inner Mongolia; faithful from throughout the land swore vow to the Triple Jewel, repeating the Chinese verses after Abbot Guangquan indse the Dharma Hall.

Mrs. Wong Cuihua, of Sandong Province, made the journey out several days ago with her husband and sever-year-old daughter for the extraordinary opportunity of taking the Buddhists vows at the ancient temple of Lingyin. This was a very special day for their family, that karmic fate yielded this opportunity to initiate proper cultivation together, taking the vowels of the Triple Jewel together—for the Buddha, The Dharma, and the Sangha.

Abbot Venerable Guangquan in dharma talk

instructions for the proceedings

Refuge in the Triple Jewel

Delight and elation of dharma

Simple offerings