shaolin monk corps-金沙1005

the meditation hall of chan temples is also called the buddha-selecting field. it usually selects buddha prescribing a limit to 7 days, and imitates buddha to attain buddhahood or realize enlightenment under the bodhi tree. da chan qi has gradually become a special rule of chan buddhism since the song dynasty. chan meditation improving session combines sitting in meditation, which is popular with people in the world.

as the ancient monastery of chan sect, shaolin temple always pays attention to the unity of understanding and practice over thousands of years. wisdom of chan buddhism is popular not only in china or in the world, but also develops its special practice dharma gate of the unity of chan and wu represented by shaolin kungfu.

shaolin temple restored the tradition of da chan qi in 2005. countless chan disciples or chan monks sit in meditation or attain enlightenment over decades. shaolin temple hosts a 49-day chan meditation improving session on the birthday of patriarch bodhidharma on the 5th day of the tenth lunar month each year when chan monks from around the world will gather at the meditation hall of shaolin temple to retreat and find their true selves for realizing enlightenment.

qi qi of chan meditation improving session in shaolin temple in xinchou year started on november 9, 2021. the shaolin scenic site was temporarily closed affected by the outbreak. shaolin temple also carried out the double suspension policy and closed the mountain gate. the condition provided more peaceful context to attain enlightenment for chan qi this year. many chan monastics from other places of religious sites got here. there were a total of more than 110 chan monks enter the meditation hall to retreat after the rigorous testing.

on the morning of november 9, after the breakfast, monks lined along both sides of the figure of patriarch bodhidharma and an attendant sent qi qi board claiming qi qi.

people attending the present chan qi went toward lixue pavilion and the abbot hall of shaolin temple to apply for permission to take time off from life and death with patriarch bodhidharma and master yongxin respectively in advance under the guidance of major heads and karmadana at 3 pm. 

karmadana read out regulations of the meditation hall and incense-monitoring master list of chan qi again, and transmitted the incense board in the same evening. all incense-monitoring masters, major heads and chan monastics lined up, hit the bell and singing bowl to invite master yongxin claiming qi qi of chan qi. master yongxin held the incense board entering the meditation hall and claimed dharma verses and then threw the board on the floor, shouting out: “qi (start)!”

the monk on duty chased the board when people cried out together “qi (start)”. then the monk started incense running. at this time chan meditation improving incense of shaolin temple in xinchou year successfully completed qi qi. monks, major heads and others would conduct a test for all chan monastics on the day of jie qi. (photographed and edited by the editorial office of shaolin temple’ s official website)