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Time flies. Jointly organised by Young Buddhist 2015
Association of Malaysia and Taiping Buddhist
Association since 1998, the Chanting and Meditation
Retreat had been held annually from the first time in
1998 uninterruptedly up to the 22nd year in 2019.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the
organisers were left with no choice but to put it on
hold from 2020 onwards.
In addition to perseverance from the organisers,
the essence and values of the retreat itself are even
more significant in ensuring its sustainability. In order
to fully benefit from the learning and practice of
Buddhism, it is crucial to immerse ourselves in the
Dharma. Dharma can only be immersed from inside-
out through a well-trained, diligent, introspective, During the dynamic session of bowing to the Buddha,
subtle, focused and condensed mind, so that self- practitioners chanted the Buddha's name according
purification can take place effectively. to the rhythm of chant by Venerable. During the
stillness practice, chanting of the Buddha’s name was
Chanting the Buddha’s name is not just mere carried out silently in order to achieve mindfulness
chanting, it is also about the merit of chanting and to in silence. An incense was burned at each session
emulate the Buddha’s virtues. Chanting the Buddha’s which was carried out alternately. The activities
name wholeheartedly is a way to cultivate the mind, of the retreat included morning and evening
training the mind to gradually become composed, chanting, running cum chanting, Dharma sharing
concentrated, stilled, and eventually achieve oneness by the Venerable and dedication of merit. During
with the Buddha’s nature within. Chanting the the retreat, the practitioners also observed Eight
Buddha’s name also can purify our mind. When our Precepts, performed daily chores and experienced
mind is pure, it can subsequently bring purification pure living, away from the hustle and bustle life. The
to our nation. If you make a vow to be reborn in course also included taking of the Three Refuges and
the Sukhavati, then chanting the Buddha’s name is observing the Five Precepts.
congruent with the practice of Pure Land.
The Chanting and Meditation Retreat not only
In order to achieve purification of the mind through attracted local participants, but also Dharma friends
chanting the Buddha’s name, Venerable Chi Chern, from abroad such as Singapore, Indonesia, Hong
the founder of the Chanting and Meditation Retreat, Kong, China and other countries.
combined and integrated both chanting and
meditation together, with emphasis on immersing January 22, 2022
the mind via chanting the name of the Buddha. Cheok Yun Chai

2012