慶祝三○五○年佛誕浴佛法會暨中台禪寺住持交接大典

Chung Tai Chan Monastery Celebrates the 3050th Buddha Bathing
and Abbotship Transfer Ceremonies

On May 26th, 2023, Chung Tai Chan Monastery celebrated the 3050th Buddha Bathing Ceremony in tandem with the Abbotship Transfer Ceremony, the first in-person events held by the monastery after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. Over ten thousand monastic and lay disciples from Taiwan and overseas gathered in the monastery, filling up seven halls to celebrate the birth of Buddha and witness the transfer of Chung Tai’s abbotship.

In the solemn and dignified Abbotship Transfer Ceremony, Venerable Master Jiandeng passed the role of abbot on to his successor, Venerable Master Jianying, who became the third Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery. After leaving office, Master Jiandeng assumed his current role of Honorary Abbot. The Ceremony marks the transfer of responsibility for carrying on the Universal Transmission of Chung Tai, transmitting the mind-seal of patriarchs, and guiding the monastery into the future.

Transfer Ceremony Announcement Meeting

To ensure a smooth transition, Chung Tai established the Transfer Ceremony Planning Committee, which was responsible for organizing the Ceremony. Then on May 6th, Abbot Jiandeng presided over a general meeting of Chung Tai’s monastic community regarding the transfer of abbotship. During his Dharma talk, he explained: “Our monastery’s system for appointing the abbot was instituted by our founder, Grand Master Weichueh. The serving abbot is to appoint his successor, who will take charge of all monastic affairs concerning the propagation of Buddhadharma. This includes increasing the reach of Dharma activities, leading all practitioners in diligent cultivation, and spreading the Dharma for the benefit of sentient beings. The abbot’s term of office is fifteen years.”

Abbot Jiandeng then announced Master Jianying, the Vice Abbot of Research and Development, as his successor. He also encouraged all monastery members to continue cultivating diligently, to collectively uphold Chung Tai’s exemplary model of cultivation, to embody their bodhisattva vows in practice, and to usher in a new era for Chung Tai Chan Monastery.

During a meeting of the monastic community, Abbot Jiandeng announces the next abbot: Master Jianying, the Vice Abbot of Research and Development.
During a meeting of the monastic community, Abbot Jiandeng announces the next abbot: Master Jianying, the Vice Abbot of Research and Development.

During a meeting of the monastic community, Abbot Jiandeng announces the next abbot: Master Jianying, the Vice Abbot of Research and Development.

Buddha Bathing Ceremony

On the morning of May 26th, the Fourfold Assembly respectfully invited Three Celebrant Masters, Abbot Jiandeng and Vice Abbots Jianshao and Jianying, to preside over the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.

“Nine dragons spout water, showering the golden body. Heavens above and earth below, I am the one most venerated…” As pure, harmonious chanting filled the monastery, the Three Celebrant Masters led participants to pay homage to the Buddha’s merit; then, to the sound of the Buddha Bathing Gatha, they led the assembly in pouring fragrant water over the Tathagata’s golden body. By ceremonially bathing the Buddha with joy and gratitude, participants also cleanse the defilements from their minds. They are inspired to emulate the Buddha’s great vows and actions, as well as dedicate their merits to sentient beings, so all may leave the Realm of Five Turbidities and realize the tathagata’s pure Dharma body.

In the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, the Three Celebrant Masters, Abbot Jiandeng and Vice Abbots Jianshao and Jianying (center, right, and left), lead the assembly to bathe the Buddha and celebrate his birth.

After bathing the Buddha, the assembly respectfully invites Master Jiandeng to give a Dharma talk.

Abbotship Transfer Ceremony

In the presence of the monastic community, presidents and vice presidents of the Dharma Support Associations, and meditation center members from Taiwan and overseas, the Abbotship Transfer Ceremony began immediately after the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.

Under the supervision of Master Jianshao, Convener of the Procedures Committee, Master Jiandeng handed the official seal of Chung Tai Chan Monastery to Master Jianying, the new Abbot. Master Jianshao then prepared the main prostration cushion for Abbot Jianying, who took the center position to prostrate in front of the Buddha. Afterwards, Master Jiandeng placed the abbot’s prayer beads onto Abbot Jianying to symbolize the formal transfer of roles. A full mala with 108 beads, the prayer beads were handed down by the Founding Abbot, Grand Master Weichueh, to be worn by each successive abbot. Through the Transfer Ceremony, the duty for spreading the Dharma, leading Chung Tai’s bodhisattva sangha, and teaching and demonstrating the principle of mind, passes from one to another.

Under the supervision of Master Jianshao, Convener of the Procedures Committee, Master Jiandeng hands the seal of Chung Tai to Abbot Jianying.

Master Jianshao prepares the main prostration cushion for the new Abbot.

Abbot Jianying prostrates in front of the Buddha.

Master Jiandeng places the abbot’s prayer beads over Abbot Jianying to symbolize the transfer of responsibility.

Near the end of the Ceremony, Abbot Jianying led the assembly to prostrate in gratitude to Master Jiandeng for his eighteen years of selfless service. During his tenure, Master Jiandeng oversaw the construction of monasteries, diligently practiced the Dharma, and walked the path of awareness (the path of weichueh), one step, one footprint at a time. He exited to the assembly’s thunderous applause and went directly to the Patriarch Hall to pay respects to Grand Master Weichueh and report that his task has been completed.

Master Jiandeng waves to the assembly as they applaud in gratitude.

The former Abbot pays respects to the Grand Master in the Patriarch Hall, reporting that his task has been completed.

After seeing off the former Abbot and Master Jianshao, the assembly respectfully invited Abbot Jianying to give a Dharma talk and lead the dedication of merits. Then, Abbot Jianying led the monastery’s senior leadership to the Patriarch Hall to pay their respects to the Grand Master and assume responsibility for teaching the Dharma and liberating sentient beings. With this gesture, the 3050th Buddha Bathing and Abbotship Transfer Ceremonies reached their conclusion.

After assuming the abbotship, Abbot Jianying gives a Dharma talk.

Abbot Jianying leads the monastery’s senior leadership to pay respects to the Grand Master and undertake responsibility for spreading the Dharma.

During the Transfer Ceremony, Chung Tai’s monastic community, presidents and vice presidents of the Dharma Support Associations, and meditation center members filled monastery halls to witness the transfer of abbotship.

Honorary Abbot Master Jiandeng

Abbot Master Jianying

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