A new form of meditation, Chan meditation, has been adopted in our Seven-Day Meditation Retreat, promising a stronger sense of ritual. Starting and ending rituals, running meditation (Pao Xiang), monitors (Jian Xiang), and the formal Buddhist meal ritual (Guo Tang) were included, among others. These various rituals helped us keep our minds from discursive thoughts and maintain inner peace. Senior Sangha Fan Yu reminded us that the rules of the rituals have been relaxed for our benefit, but traditional Chan meditation is much stricter. As we required a larger venue to practice running meditation, the location of the event also shifted to a resort with beautiful scenery and fresh air.
Prior to the formal initiation ritual of the Seven-Day Meditation Retreat in October 2017, our dharma teacher and meditation mentor was engaging in conversations with participants of the event.
The initiation ritual of the Seven-Day Meditation Retreat took place in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, in October 2017. In the center of the frame, a man holding a red board with the two Chinese characters "起七" signified the beginning of the retreat.
As part of the initiation ritual, the participants of the event, led by the Dharma teacher and meditation mentor, are prostrating to the statue of the Buddha.
Following the prostration, our Dharma teacher and meditation mentor delivers a brief speech as an auspicious prayer to the Three Jewels, signifying the start of the Seven-Day Meditation Retreat in October 2017.
Participants are meditating.
As part of the initiation ritual of the Seven-Day Meditation Retreat, a short sitting meditation session follows after our Dharma teacher and meditation mentor finishes his speech. The young men in blue shirts serve as meditation monitors during the event.
During the initiation ritual, a running meditation session comes right after the short meditation session.
Our Dharma teacher is monitoring and encouraging participants to mindfully run faster by beating the board next to him and shouting, "Run faster!"
As soon as our Dharma teacher shouts "Stop," participants halt their running and remain still. Our Dharma teacher then provides a brief explanation of the meaning of running meditation.
Participants are carrying out a one-hour long sitting meditation session during the day.
A monitor, holding a monitoring bat in his hand, walks around in the meditation room to check if there is anyone who is falling asleep or breaks the rules.
Participants are carrying out walking meditation after each one-hour long sitting meditation session.
A volunteer is preparing tea for participants to drink during the break of each meditation session.
A volunteer is offering participants tea to drink while they are taking a short break after a sitting meditation session.
Participants are performing the dinning ritual before their lunch.
Volunteers are preparing dumplings for dinner.
A volunteer is offering dumplings as dinner for participants.
Participants are carrying out a one-hour long sitting meditation session at night.
Every night, our Dharma teacher gives a two-hour long lecture on Buddhism during the Seven-Day Meditation Retreat.
A fellow participant is asking a question during the Q&A session at the end of a lecture.
