This year, the Winter Solstice falls on December 21 (the eighteenth day of the eleventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar). In celebration of this special occasion, Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou held an offering ceremony to honor the ancestors and express gratitude for the profound teachings of past patriarchs and masters.
At 9:00 a.m., the Lingyin Sangha conducted the ceremony in the Mahavira Hall, presenting incense, flowers, fruits, and musical praises to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. They prayed for favorable weather, national prosperity, the wellbeing of the people, and the eternal turning of the Dharma wheel, illuminated by the ever-brightening light of the Buddha.
Following the main ceremony in the Mahavira Hall, the Buddhist masters split into groups to pay their respects in various halls, including the Yuheng Hall (Hall of Patriarchs), Master Li’s Pagoda, the Pagodas of Past Patriarchs, the Weituo Hall, the Qialan Hall, and the Shifang Vegetarian Noodle Restaurant. The ceremony was solemn and respectful, with attendees honoring their ancestors, bowing sincerely at the ancestor pagodas, and reflecting on the contributions of past abbots and virtuous teachers who established the temple, nurtured the Buddhist community, and passed on the light of the Dharma.
The Winter Solstice is one of the most important traditional festivals for the Chinese people, symbolizing the return of light and the renewal of all things. The philosopher Zeng once said, “Let there be a careful attention to perform the funeral rites to parents, and let them be followed when long gone with the ceremonies of sacrifice - then the virtue of the people will resume its proper excellence.” It is a longstanding custom for Chinese families to make offerings in honor of their ancestors on this day. According to Buddhist tradition, keeping a vegetarian diet and practicing Buddhism during the Winter Solstice brings blessings. Good fortune and blessings are believed to be bestowed upon those who engage in altruistic behavior with a benevolent heart.
Since its establishment by the Indian monk Venerable Master Huili during the Eastern Jin dynasty, Lingyin Temple has been home to many eminent monks. Notable masters such as Yongming Yanshou, Zanning Tonghui, Xitang Huiyuan, Mi'an Xianjie, Songyuan Chongyue, and Jide Hongli have all resided here, making Lingyin Temple a "Supreme Enlightenment Place" of Chinese Chan Buddhism. Every Winter Solstice, Lingyin Temple faithfully upholds ancient traditions by hosting an offering ceremony to honor the ancestors, expressing gratitude for the great virtues of the masters who transmitted the Dharma and benefited all sentient beings. The celebration also dedicates merit to help all beings resolve grievances and attain happiness, guiding practitioners on their path to Buddhahood and enabling them to witness the ultimate truth!
