03/16/2025

Austin Xiang Yun Temple Hosts 3-Day English Meditation Retreat

Reported by Humanistic Society Correspondent David Huang in Austin

From March 14 to 16, Xiang Yun Temple held a 3-day English meditation retreat, attracting 28 local meditation enthusiasts.

The retreat began on Friday evening, with Venerable Jueji, the temple supervisor, explaining the purpose and significance of the retreat, encouraging participants to awaken self-awareness through meditation. Volunteers Landry and Jace introduced the event schedule and guidelines on noble silence, and led walking, sitting, and standing meditation sessions.

On Saturday morning, participants engaged in outdoor meditation, qigong, and guided sitting meditation at the temple, followed by an English Dharma service, lamp offerings for blessings, and a Dharma talk by the venerable. After the afternoon meditation session, everyone took part in mindful temple chores, helping clean the temple grounds. In the evening, Venerable Jueji gave a talk on the connection between precepts and morality and explored Zen koans to inspire wisdom and reflection.

On Sunday morning, attendees participated in the "Great Compassion Repentance" Dharma service. After lunch, some participants took part in a refuge-taking ceremony, officially becoming practicing Buddhists. The retreat concluded with a class on prajna (wisdom) and a discussion of the Heart Sutra, offering a complete experience of Buddhist learning, meditation practice, and mindful daily living.

The retreat allowed participants to find inner peace and clarity amidst their busy lives, laying a foundation for future spiritual practice and planting seeds of wholesome Dharma.