On March 23, the formal conferment of the Śrāmaṇera Precepts commenced as part of Lingyin Temple’s 2026 Spring Triple Platform Full Ordination Ceremony — a solemn rite undertaken for the protection of the nation and the flourishing of the Dharma.
Led by the Chief Precept Instructor Ven. Fangzhen and other Precept Instructors, the candidates respectfully invited the following precept masters to the Medicine Buddha Hall (the Precept Hall) — Ven. Guangquan as the Upādhyāya (Preceptor), Ven. Ziyu as the Karmācārya (Master of Ritual Acts), and Ven. Yunguan as the Ācārya (Instructor in Doctrine and Practice), who officially conferred the Śrāmaṇera Precepts upon them. Through the prescribed sequence of rites — including the invitation of precept masters, invocation of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, repentance of past transgressions, examination of impediments, taking refuge in the Three Jewels, exposition of the precepts, donning of the monastic robe, and receiving exhortations — the candidates successfully completed the first platform of the ordination and formally received the essence of the Śrāmaṇera Precepts.
On March 28, Lingyin Temple held the formal conferment of the Bhikṣu Precepts — the second platform of the Triple Platform Ordination. Ven. Guangquan served as the Upādhyāya, Ven. Yizang as the Karmācārya, and Ven. Yunguan as the Ācārya. Seven esteemed monastic elders — Venerables Zhiming, Xinguang, Kexiang, Yiguang, Ciman, Ziyu, and Jielong — served as the Witness Masters, collectively forming the Ten Masters required for full ordination.
Inside the Medicine Buddha Hall, the Śrāmaṇeras cultivated stillness of body and mind, clad in complete monastic attire and bearing their alms bowls. The Ten Masters lit incense, made prostrations before the Buddha, and ascended their seats in due order. Thereupon, the candidates knelt with palms joined, offering sincere supplication to receive the Bhikṣu Precepts — a request graciously accepted by the assembled masters.
After the ceremony of inviting the masters, the Ten Masters and the newly ordained proceeded together to the Zhizhi Hall (the sacred Precept Platform), where fragrant precept incense filled the air and profound silence reigned. Amidst the resonant chant of brahmic hymns, the Ten Masters lit incense and invoked the Three Jewels to descend upon the Dharma assembly and bear witness to the ordination. After three prostrations to the Buddha, all ascended the platform together.
The newly ordained then underwent the examination of impediments, after which they ascended the platform in groups of three. Under the direct witness of the Ten Masters, they properly requested the precepts and engaged in precise contemplative visualization. Upon the successful completion of the Catvāro Dharmāḥ — the “Fourfold Act”, comprising the formal motion, first proclamation, second proclamation, and final proclamation — the new Bhikṣus joyfully received the pure essence of the Bhikṣu Precepts. Having thus completed the transition from Śrāmaṇera to fully ordained Bhikṣu, they vowed to diligently cultivate wisdom and compassion in all circumstances, abandon unwholesome states, uphold virtuous conduct, advance steadily toward perfect awakening, become worthy vessels of the Dharma, and tirelessly propagate the teachings for the liberation of all sentient beings.
The Triple Platform Full Ordination is the traditional ordination ceremony for monastics within the Chinese Buddhist tradition. Through the three successive platforms, aspirants receive: the Śrāmaṇera Precepts (first platform), the Bhikṣu Precepts (second platform), and the Bodhisattva Precepts (third platform). Of the Three Non-Outflow Learnings — Precept, Concentration, and Wisdom — the Learning of Precepts stands foremost. To study, receive, uphold, and embody the precepts constitutes the very foundation of monastic life and practice.
This ordination ceremony was conducted with formal approval from the Buddhist Association of China. It was hosted by Zhejiang Buddhist Association, co-organized by Hangzhou Buddhist Association, and jointly undertaken by Lingyin Temple and Fajing Lecture Temple in Hangzhou. The entire event spanned March 10 to April 10, 2026.
