Qiqi of the Diligent Chanqi of Shaolin Temple in Jiachen Year Launched Successfully

On Nov 5, 2024, or the 5th day of the tenth lunar month is the Birthday of patriarch Dharma. Shaolin Temple, the ancient ancestral monastery of Chan sect, followed the original rules, launching the annual Qiqi of Chanqi in the winter. 123 Buddhists from around the country gathered in Shaolin Temple’ s Buddha-choosing site--the Meditation Hall, dropping everything to sit in meditation with diligence and vigour and achieve realization within a set timeframe.

Passing the Qiqi board

After a morning meal, all Buddhists lined up along both sides of the figure of patriarch Bodhidharma at the Meditation Hall. A attendant followed a monk’ s order to pass the board of Qiqi to Karmadana who clasped hands asking and accepting the board, put the board of Qiqi in front of the niche for the Buddhist statue, then hung it in the doorway of the Meditation Hall, and claiming “Qiqi” that day.

Worshiping ancestors at the Lixue Pavilion

Applying for permission to “Take Time Off from Life and Death”

At 3 o’ clock on the afternoon, major heads and Karmadana guided all Chan monastics to the Abbot Hall to apply for permission to Take Time Off from Life and Death with the Grand Monk Yongxin in advance after Chan monastics participating in the Da Chan Qi went towards the Lixue Pavilion worshiping ancestors. The Grand Monk Yongxin delivers his dharma teachings, encouraging all Chan monastics in diligence, seeing though life and death, and pouring heart and soul into Chan Buddhism.

Drinking tea

Qiqi

At half past five on the afternoon, the Qiqi ceremony was held at the Meditation Hall of Shaolin Temple solemnly. All monks gathered there meanwhile Karmadana followed the Grand Monk Yongxin’ s order to read out the list of incense-supervising masters and hand over the incense board. All incense-supervising masters and major heads put incense boards over the chest, striking the bell board and chime stone to invite the Grand Monk Yongxin start Qiqi of Chanqi. (Report by Zou Xiang, Yue Long and photographed by Wang Haitao, Dong Wenke)