As a Sōtō Zen (Caodong) monastery, Yuanlin Zen Temple places equal emphasis on meditation practice and ritual assemblies. The temple regularly holds zazen (seated meditation) sessions, guiding participants in the Sōtō practice of “just sitting” in silence, in line with the tradition of focusing on mindful presence rather than koan study. (Indeed, local reports describe the temple’s meditation style as “sitting meditation without investigating huatou,” indicating a pure form of zazen consistent with Caodong teachings.) Daily dawn and dusk liturgies are conducted by the resident monks, who chant sutras and mantra in the morning and evening to maintain the spiritual solemnity of the venue.
The Sutra Chanting Ceremony at Yuanlin Zen Temple
On important Buddhist festival days, the temple organizes various Dharma assemblies and celebrations. For example, on the Buddha’s Birthday (8th day of 4th lunar month), a Bathing the Buddha ceremony is held, where devotees gather to pour perfumed water over a statue of infant Shakyamuni, celebrating his birth. Likewise, on Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin) Bodhisattva’s commemorative days – the 19th of the 2nd, 6th, and 9th lunar months (birth, enlightenment, and renunciation days) – the temple conducts chanting services or offering rituals to honor Guanyin’s compassion. The temple also observes the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s birthday in the 7th lunar month, often in conjunction with the Ghost Festival (Ulambana) to perform universal deliverance rites for departed spirits. These observances follow mainstream Chinese Mahayana customs and local religious culture, drawing large numbers of worshippers. The coastal village of Baishatun was first inhabited during the reign of Qianlong Emperor, where a rudimentary temple was built here to pray for the safety of fishermen. Towards the end of Xianfeng Emperor's reign, local residents donated money to build a larger temple made of brick, which was completed in 1863 (Tongzhi 2); this temple was named Gongtian Temple. Later, the temple was renovated twice, in 1936 and 1990, into the reinforced concrete structure today.
The Sutra Chanting Ceremony at Yuanlin Zen Temple
The Sutra Chanting Ceremony at Yuanlin Zen Temple
The Sutra Chanting Ceremony at Yuanlin Zen Temple
On important Buddhist festival days, the temple organizes various Dharma assemblies and celebrations. For example, on the Buddha’s Birthday (8th day of 4th lunar month), a Bathing the Buddha ceremony is held, where devotees gather to pour perfumed water over a statue of infant Shakyamuni, celebrating his birth. Likewise, on Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin) Bodhisattva’s commemorative days – the 19th of the 2nd, 6th, and 9th lunar months (birth, enlightenment, and renunciation days) – the temple conducts chanting services or offering rituals to honor Guanyin’s compassion. The temple also observes the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s birthday in the 7th lunar month, often in conjunction with the Ghost Festival (Ulambana) to perform universal deliverance rites for departed spirits. These observances follow mainstream Chinese Mahayana customs and local religious culture, drawing large numbers of worshippers. The coastal village of Baishatun was first inhabited during the reign of Qianlong Emperor, where a rudimentary temple was built here to pray for the safety of fishermen. Towards the end of Xianfeng Emperor's reign, local residents donated money to build a larger temple made of brick, which was completed in 1863 (Tongzhi 2); this temple was named Gongtian Temple. Later, the temple was renovated twice, in 1936 and 1990, into the reinforced concrete structure today.
The Sutra Chanting Ceremony at Yuanlin Zen Temple
The Sutra Chanting Ceremony at Yuanlin Zen Temple
