Over 40 Devotees Participate in “Three-Day Buddha Name Recitation and Eight Precepts Retreat,” Vowing to Be Reborn in the Western Pure Land

During the Ghost Festival*, the Dharma Drum Mountain Massachusetts Buddhist Association in Boston held a "Three-Day Buddha Name Recitation and Eight Precepts Retreat" from September 5th to 7th. While watching video teachings by Dharma Drum Mountain's founder Venerable Master Sheng Yen and listening to Dharma talks by DDM Vice Abbot Venerable Guo Xing (果醒法師), over 40 devotees vowed to uphold the Eight Precepts, let go of desires, eliminate afflictions, and purify body and mind. Amid the continuous recitation of "Amituofo (name of Amitabha Buddha)," participants made firm vows to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss as well as to diligently practice and cultivate blessings and wisdom without interruption for countless kalpas to come.

On September 5th, the formal Eight Precepts transmission ceremony was conducted, with Venerable Guo Xing as the presiding Dharma teacher. In a solemn and dignified atmosphere, participants followed Venerable Guo Xing in making vows and taking the precepts. Together, they experienced the monastic lifestyle for one day and one night, thereby sowing the seeds of virtuous roots and establishing wholesome causes and conditions for letting go of desires, eliminating afflictions, and liberating from the cycle of birth and death. In his video teaching, Master Sheng Yen emphasized the great merit of upholding monastic precepts. He stated that lay Buddhist practitioners wishing to transcend the three realms must begin with a life of contentment with little and that receiving and observing the pure Eight Precepts is an essential part of that path.

Venerable Chang Zhai (常齋法師), the timekeeper of the retreat, encouraged everyone to cherish this opportunity for diligent practice—keeping body and mind concentrated at all times, speaking less, reciting the Buddha's name more, and anchoring the mind in the Buddhaname. Venerable Guo Xing reminded the assembly that once the mind strays from the Buddhaname, deluded thoughts arise, which results in karma. Therefore, it is important to use the Buddhaname to maintain mindfulness. When we recite the Buddhaname at all times and in all places, every moment becomes one of purity rather than creating karma.

Venerable Chang Zhai also shared examples from Master Sheng Yen and Master Guang Ching (廣欽老和尚), who constantly recited the Buddha's name in their daily lives. If we can always recitethe Buddha's name and reach a state of unwavering mindfulness, we can reach a state where our thoughts in our mind align with the Buddhaname. She further reminded everyone that spiritual practice must not be separate from daily life. We should practice constantly, in every moment and situation. Beyond the recitation itself, we must also be guided by right view and right actions according to Buddhist teachings, aspiring to be reborn in the Pure Land, to see the Buddha as the lotus blooms, and realize the truth of no-birth.

September 6, the second day of the retreat, coincided with the traditional Buddhist "Ullambana Festival," also known as "Buddha's Joyful Day" according to the lunar calendar. Venerable Chang Zhai asked the assembly whether, after a full day of mindful practice, precept observance and recitation of the Buddha's name, they had any insights or realizations to joyfully report to the Buddha. She noted that while we may feel we have little to report for now, true practice means taking responsibility for ourselves, and we must also carry a heart of gratitude and dedication. Under the steady and resonant Buddhaname recitations led by Venerable Chang Jue (常覺法師), each utterance seemed to carry the blessings and vows of Amitabha Buddha to countless sentient beings.

Participants expressed that the three-day retreat brought them deep Dharma joy. Many noted that the resounding and dignified Buddhaname chanting by the chant leader remained in their hearts long afterward, constantly reminding them to keep up their recitation. One participant, lay practitioner Chi, shared that during prostrations to the Buddha and repentance practice, he became aware of many areas in himself that required repentance. He was deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a focused and diligent practice. At the conclusion of the three-day retreat, the assembly also offered their blessings to four fellow participants who had resolved to take refuge in the Three Jewels and receive the Five Precepts.

*中元節 (Zhōng yuán Jié) is a traditional Chinese festival observed on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Buddhist temples usually recite sutras and chant the Buddha's name, holding Dharma services to transfer merit and liberate the deceased from suffering. They also offer food to beings in the hungry ghost realm as an expression of compassion.




Original text in Chinese and photos: Dharma Drum Mountain Massachusetts Buddhist Association
Translation: Patricia Yang 
Editing: Keith Brown