Dharma instruments from Taiwan have arrived at the Abbey’s Buddha Hall! Written word cannot capture their majesty, so we have created a series of videos to introduce you to these traditional Chinese temple instruments.
See pictures of the arrival and unloading here >
You can see a few clips of the instruments arriving at the beginning of this video, which includes the full interview with Ven. Hongding Shi of Fo En Si Temple, Taiwan.
Wooden Fish, Gong, Bell, and Drum
Four traditional Chinese temple instruments—fish, gong, bell, and drum—have arrived at their new home in Sravasti Abbey’s Buddha Hall. Custom made in Taiwan and offered by generous Taiwanese benefactors, these instruments represent the flow of Dharma across continents as the profound teachings of the Buddha take root in new lands and cultures.
For over a millennium, these instruments have been a cornerstone of monastic ritual chanting in Chinese Buddhism. Although we chant in English, the heavenly Chinese melodies remain unchanged, deeply connecting us to this ancient practice.
While we study and practice in the Tibetan tradition at Sravasti Abbey, our Vinaya lineage comes through China. Taiwanese bhiksunis, fully ordained nuns, have been instrumental in establishing the bhiksuni sangha at Sravasti Abbey. The Dharma instruments are a continuation of this precious relationship. This is a gift that will inspire not just the current Abbey monastics, but everyone who comes to practice the Dharma for a very long time.
Generosity and Collaboration
Many causes and conditions came together to bring these instruments to the Buddha Hall. Five Abbey nuns had traveled to Taiwan in Spring 2024 to receive full ordination at Fo En Si Temple. Venerable Chodron was also there, serving as a bhikshuni preceptor for over 200 nuns. Venerable Damcho was the English translator.
During our seven-week visit, we had the privilege of examining traditional musical instruments firsthand and receiving expert guidance on how to play them. And to our astonishment, donors stepped forward, unsolicited, to offer a full set for the Abbey’s new Buddha Hall!
We rejoice in the incredible generosity of everyone who helped make this possible—especially Venerable Hongding Shi. As Monastery Manager of Fo En Si (Buddha Gratitude Temple) in Taichung, Taiwan, she was one of the primary organizers of the full ordination program and served as one of the guides during the program. She is also Abbess of Guanyin Chan Monastery on Ciguang (Light of Compassion) Mountain.
She took time out of her incredibly busy schedule to help Venerables Chodron and Damcho visit the workshops of instrument craftspeople to select a large fish and gong for the Buddha Hall Main Hall, sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Ven. Hongding herself also donated a smaller fish and gong for the Posadha Room. Most amazingly, she was moved to sponsor the large bell and large drum for the Buddha Hall. She said:
The building of their monastery (Sravasti Abbey) is about to be complete, and the wooden fish and large gong are essential in the Buddha Hall of any Buddhist temple. Also, the morning bell and evening drum— that is, the large bell and large drum—are also indispensable in the Buddha Hall.
Of course, as an abbess myself, I understand what they need. When any monastery is being established, I hope that other monasteries and laypeople who feel a karmic connection will collaborate to support such a great undertaking.
I send my deepest wishes that the Dharma activities will flourish at their monastery, and that they will have a piece of the Pure Land in the West.
We are inspired by the generous assistance we received from many people in Taiwan, especially at Pu Yi Yuan Nunnery, Fo En Si Temple, and Luminary Institute. Thank you all!
Video Love Letters
Venerable Rinchen was one of the nuns in Taiwan for full ordination in March of 2024. She recorded video footage of the instruments in Taiwan and had the opportunity to help create these videos for YouTube. She said:
These videos are our “love letters” to the Taiwanese bhiksunis and the Dharma Instruments.
I hope that these videos help our friends appreciate these instruments, understand the Chinese Buddhist tradition that they are coming from, and rejoice in the kindness of so many people in Taiwan who helped make this possible.
See More
To see and hear more from the ordination at Fo En Si: (Note that all videos are in Chinese)
- Novice Precepts (1st Platform)
- Full Precepts (2nd Platform)
- Bodhisattva Precepts (3rd Platform)
- Chanting the Great Compassion Mantra
- Chanting before and after meals
- A full performance of “Wind, Rain, Thunder, Lightning” (風、雨、雷、電) at Fo En Si Temple
- Going on Alms Round
Watch more about the artisans: (Also in Chinese)
Learn more about the institutions in Taiwan:
- 法雨山普宜苑: Pu Yi Yuan’s website
- 佛恩寺(太平): Fo En Si’s website and YouTube Channel
- 香光尼僧團: Luminary Institute Sangha’s website, YouTube Channel, and playlist of “BBCs”