From April 12th to 15th, Lingyin Temple held the second session of the Buddhist retreat for its novice disciples in 2024, with over eighty participants gathering at the temple to engage in dedicated study and practice of Buddhism. The aim of such a retreat is to draw novice disciples closer to the Triple Gem, offer an opportunity for them to let go of worldly distractions and diligently advance in their spiritual pursuits.
After breakfast on the morning of the 14th, the disciples, under the guidance of the Lingyin Buddhist masters, divided into groups to offer incense and light lamps in various halls and chambers of the temple.
Then at 8:45 a.m. on the 14th, the Eight Precepts Retreat Ceremony commenced, with Master Huici presiding over the incense offering. As instructed by the host master, the disciples, in accordance with the ritual of receiving and upholding the Eight Precepts, went through the steps of welcoming, inspiration, supplication, sincere repentance, confession of faults, taking refuge in the Three Jewels, declaring percepts, making vows, chanting the Buddha’s name, dedicating merits and making a solemn pledge on their knees, before they formally received the precepts.
In the afternoon of the 14th, Master Xinyin expounded the Heart Sutra to the participants, covering various aspects such as the origin, translations, translators, the connection between Master Xuanzang and the Heart Sutra, detailed explanations of the sutra, analysis of the wisdom of emptiness in the sutra, the essence, spirit, and benefits of the sutra. Master Xinyin emphasized that among all the translated classics in Chinese, the Heart Sutra is the most widely circulated, and throughout history, it has been commented upon and explained by numerous eminent monks and scholars. The Heart Sutra, comprising only one volume, is considered a concise summary of Prajnaparamita literature, profound in meaning yet succinct in words. He concluded the lecture with the phrase: "Being in existence or non-existence, the mind is not attached to the realm of existence; dwelling in emptiness or non-emptiness, it transcends the realm of emptiness." The master's elucidation was clear and profound, captivating the participants and allowing them to savor the essence of the Dharma.
