The Meditation Hall in Shaolin Temple, with a history of more than 1500 years, is located on either side of the Sutra-Keeping Pavilion. It was destroyed in flames of war in 1928. The Records of Shaolin Temple said: “The east Meditation Hall on the North of the Dinning Hall” “The west Meditation Hall is on the north of storeroom”. The east and west Meditation Halls are behind the Mahaviro Hall. The east and west Meditation Halls were rebuilt on their sites in 1981. The former east Meditation Hall was renamed Shaolin Incense Hall and the west Meditation Hall renamed the Guest Hall.

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Shaolin Chan Qi

  • Chan Qi

  • Annual

  • Revelation

Buddha did not gain enlightenment completely in those years through different kinds of cultivation or practice. Finally, he got under the bodhi tree, sit in meditation and made a vow: “If not attain enlightenment, I would never leave here.” Buddha enlightened after seven days when he saw the bright star. Thus Chan Qi originated from this, which means attain enlightenment in certain time. Then Chan Hall is also called the site to choose Buddha where Buddha would be chosen in seven days according to qualifications, which has become a feature of Chan Buddhism since the Song Dynasty. Chan monasteries hold practice to achieve realization within a set timeframe every winter. Chan Qi takes 7 days as a period or a session called Da Chan Qi, totaling 7 sessions, 49 days. Monks take more efforts to sit in meditation than usual in Chan Qi. Detail»

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Chan Study

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What are the contents of the study and cultivation?

The contents of the study of Dhamma and the practice of meditation are simply the 37 requisites for enlightenment. The basic practice among the 37 is the “Four Stations of Mindfulness”, i.e. contemplation of the four views: the body is impure, feelings are suffering, mind and mind-objects are impermanent, every dhamma is without self. Prior to the practice of contemplation of the Four Stations of Mindfulness, the beginners should first learn the five systems of meditation, namely, contemplation of impurity, contemplation of mercy, contemplation of cause and effect, contemplation of distinction, and contemplation of breath. In sum, there are many ways to practice concentration and wisdom, which need not to be expanded upon here. (From Essentials of Buddhism: Questions and Answers)

Author: 2022-11-28

Release

2022-11-07

Urban Meditation Hall

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