On the morning of July 9, 2016, Abbot of Lingyin Temple Ven. Guangquan led a group of about 200 people, including the Lingyin Sangha and Buddhist believers, on a pilgrimage to Putuo Mountain, which is the Bodhimanda (way place) of Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) Bodhisattva. By 8:00 am, the massive group set out from under the horizontal inscribed boards of “Putuo Sheng Jing” (meaning Putuo Sacred Ground) and “Guanyin Dao Chang” (meaning the Bodhimanda of Guanyin Bodhisattva) at the front gate, following the Buddhist ritual of bowing to the ground in a full prostration every three steps along the pilgrimage road up to the mountain. It took four hours for them to get to the destination – Yuantong Hall of Puji Temple.
It has been 16 years for Ven. Guangquan’s leading a groups on pilgrimage to Putuo Mountain. With Ven. Guangquan’s actions and words, such a pious pilgrimage trip hopes to demonstrate the positive image of modern Buddhists. Also, the good qualities of Buddhists – diligence, righteousness, self-discipline and benevolence – are shown through such a traditional way of practicing Buddhism.
Ven. Guangquan leading the Buddhist group on a pilgrimage
Along the pilgrimage road up to the mountain
Buddhist believers
Endearing for passers-by
A successful ending of the pilgrimage trip at Puji Temple
