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Opening Ceremony of the Retreat - Taking Refuge in Amitābha
In Buddhist language, the following terms can be used simultaneously to clearly distinguish between lay and monastic practitioners:
- Upāsaka: one who is close to the monastic community
- Lay friend: one who still lives at home, as opposed to one who has left home
- Layperson: both lay men and lay women
- Monastic (renunciant): both monks and nuns
The “Beginning Anew Gatha” is a chant that each practitioner must personally record based on their own experience, and recite daily in order to nourish the original source of energy that inspired us to leave everything behind and enter the monastic life. When reading it again, the content should clearly state:
- The original aspiration and the journey of overcoming obstacles to become a monastic
- The joy and happiness upon being accepted into the monastic community
- The details of the longing and contemplation that help rekindle the original flame of aspiration
The “Aspiration to the Pure Land” chant (page 33) consists of eight verses summarizing the teaching of the intrinsic nature of Amitabha, the Pure Land as mind-only, and the practice of mindful recitation of the Buddha’s name with undistracted mind, leading to “the nine grades of lotus flowers manifesting in the present, benefiting both self and others.” Mindfulness of Amitabha in the ultimate dimension, together with the wondrous light of infinite radiance and infinite lifespan, will shine upon and carry the practitioner, helping them to attain peace with every step and to transform afflictions, so that “the Pure Land is walked step by step, steadily and at ease, right here and right now.”
