Xiangyun Temple Amitabha Dharma Assembly — A Full Day of Buddha Recitation

Written by Xi Xiu

In celebration of Amitabha Buddha’s Sacred Birthday, Xiangyun Temple held the “Amitabha Dharma Assembly — A Full Day of Buddha Recitation” on December 14. Under the guidance of Venerable Jueji, Venerable Yongjia, Venerable Ruyuan, and Venerable Yisong, approximately 110 devotees gathered at the temple to sincerely recite the Buddha’s name and engage in collective Pure Land practice. The assembly was conducted with great solemnity and reverence, allowing participants to cultivate mindfulness and attain inner purity.

In addition, Xiangyun Temple specially organized a “Diligent Practice” series of activities throughout the month. These included intensive sutra recitation, ten-thousand-recitation Buddha chanting sessions, seated meditation, mindful sutra copying, and devoted prostrations. Devotees were encouraged to participate according to their individual schedules and affinities, thereby deepening their practice and nurturing both concentration and wisdom.

During the Dharma assembly, Venerable Jueji delivered a Dharma talk titled “Spiritual Response” and “Is There Amitabha Buddha?” He encouraged the assembly by emphasizing that sincere cultivation naturally leads to resonance with the Dharma and the arising of spiritual responses. He also reminded everyone to become their own benefactor by allowing their intrinsic nature to shine forth.

At the conclusion of the assembly, many participants reported feeling calm, clear-minded, and uplifted. They deeply realized that the Pure Land illuminated by the Buddha’s light is not distant, but present here and now, right before us.