Sending Our Deepest Blessings: DDM Massachusetts Buddhist Association Holds Ullambana Repayment-of-Gratitude Two-Day Buddha Name Recitation Retreat

Dharma Drum Mountain Massachusetts Buddhist Association in Boston held an “Ullambana Repayment-of-Gratitude Two-Day Buddha Name Recitation Retreat” on August 29–30, bringing together approximately 80 participants over the two days to practice diligently through Buddha name recitation. The retreat concluded with the assembly wholeheartedly reciting the Buddha’s name in a strong, unified voice. The retreat’s timekeeper, Venerable Chang Zhai (常齋法師) led the dedication of merit, offering our deepest blessings and dedications—for ourselves, for our loved ones, and, above all, for all sentient beings: “May we be born in the Pure Land of the West; may the lotus blossom, and may we see the Buddha and awaken to non-arising.” In particular, prayers were offered for all those affected by recent disasters, that they may find peace, hear the Buddha’s name, and be reborn in the Pure Land. 

At the beginning of the retreat, Venerable Chang Zhai first asked the assembly: With what kind of mind are we reciting the Buddha’s name? Are we doing so with a mind that seeks something for ourselves and our families? Or, are we practicing because we have contemplated the suffering of ourselves and all sentient beings? Venerable Chang Zhai referred to the recent floods in Tibet and Nepal as an example. In this Saha world, subject to the cycle of formation, abiding, decay, and cessation, the frequent occurrence of natural disasters allows us to experience more deeply what the Buddha taught: “The world is impermanent, and the land is fragile.” When impermanence strikes, are we ourselves prepared? At that moment, will we still remember to bring forth a single recitation of “Amituofo (Amitabha Buddha)”? Although this was only a two-day Buddha name recitation retreat, Venerable Chang Zhai encouraged everyone to practice with the same focused diligence as during a seven-day Buddha name recitation retreat, dedicating body and mind completely to the Buddha’s name.
In addressing how we face the arrival of impermanence, Venerable Chang Zhai selected two teachings by Master Sheng Yen on “single-minded Buddha name recitation” and “maintaining right mindfulness at the time of death.” These teachings helped the participants develop deeper confidence in, and a greater sense of urgency toward, the practice of Buddha name recitation. Master Sheng Yen explained that if ordinary people do not know how to practice, then at the end of this lifetime, they will be reborn according to their karma, according to one’s strongest habitual tendencies, or according to the thoughts arising at the time of death. If, however, one practices and knows to make vows, one can be reborn according to one’s vows: “May I be born in the Pure Land of the West.” Yet if this vow is not made with sufficient sincerity, and if one does not repeatedly make the vow until it becomes a habitual practice, then at the time of death one’s mind may not be in accord with the power of one’s vows.

For this reason, Master Sheng Yen emphasized the great importance of one’s daily practice of Buddha name recitation. We should keep the Buddha’s name in mind with every thought, maintaining an attitude in which we never separate from the Buddha’s name and always keep the Buddha present in our hearts. Through this practice, we continually maintain right mindfulness and repeatedly make vows. When the practice of Buddha recitation and vow-making has become firmly established, then even if impermanence strikes suddenly, the recitation of the Buddha’s name remains in our minds, and we will surely be reborn according to our vows.
Venerable Chang Zhai encouraged everyone to learn from Master Sheng Yen’s teachings and to recite “Amituofo” to bless our parents and family members. We can also invite our family members to recite the Buddha’s name together, making this the finest gift of filial devotion and gratitude. Venerable Chang Zhai also praised the assembly for following the deep, steady, and resonant voice of Venerable Chang Jue (常覺法師) from Chan Meditation Center in Buddha recitation. With each recitation flowing continuously into the next, the assembly recited the Buddha’s name aloud with great concentration. To use such a sublime and dignified recitation of the Buddha’s name to offer blessings to those around us—even to all sentient beings—is both an expression of compassion and a practice of wisdom.

The retreat concluded smoothly in an atmosphere of gratitude and dedication of merit. Mr. Wei, who participated in Buddha recitation practice for the first time, shared that the power of practicing together with the entire assembly was extraordinary. He was deeply moved in a way that words could not express, and felt profoundly grateful for the opportunity to practice Buddha recitation with such diligence. Another participant, Mr. Luo, shared that as he followed the sound of the assembly’s recitation, each recitation of the Buddha’s name naturally continued without any interruptions in mind. His mind was free from distracting thoughts, and he developed a deeper confidence in the Buddha’s name.

Venerable Chang Zhai encouraged everyone to return regularly to DDM Massachusetts Buddhist Association and participate in the ongoing group Buddha name recitation practice. When the Buddha’s name is present in our minds at all times and in all places, the Buddha is in our minds, and our minds are together with the Buddha. In this way, at that very moment, we are already in the Pure Land.





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