At Veil Parasol Temple, group practice is more than a gathering. It is a shared field of devotion, lineage blessing, prayer, and merit — a place where the path becomes more steady when walked alongside others in the sangha.

Group practice refers to a formal session in which practitioners gather to perform a Buddhist practice together. In the True Buddha School, this includes chanting, mantra recitation, visualization, and dedication of merit — together with other elements depending on the practice scheduled. Each part is connected to the blessing of the guru, the lineage, the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma Protectors.

The outward form is simple: practitioners sit together, chant together, and follow the ritual sequence together. The inner meaning is profound. Each person brings personal wishes, karmic conditions, gratitude, difficulties, and spiritual aspiration into the practice. Through the structure of the Dharma, these individual intentions are gathered and transformed into collective merit.

Vajrayana Buddhism places great emphasis on lineage, empowerment, mantra, visualization, and the blessing of the guru. In the True Buddha School, practitioners follow the teachings transmitted by Living Buddha Lian-sheng and rely on the lineage blessing that flows through the root guru and the Dharma lineage. Because Vajrayana methods can be subtle, practicing in a temple community is especially helpful — newcomers can observe and gradually learn the rhythm of the ritual, while experienced practitioners help maintain a solemn and harmonious environment.

Many people begin spiritual practice during times of searching, difficulty, or change. Personal practice at home is important, but consistency can be hard when daily life becomes busy. A regular temple practice gives the practitioner a stable point of return — even when the mind feels tired or unsettled, joining the sangha can restore spiritual direction. The collective chanting carries the individual forward; the presence of others helps the mind remain focused.

Group practice also creates merit, which may then be dedicated to families, ancestors, the deceased, the sick, the troubled, and all sentient beings. In this way, it becomes an act of compassion, not only a personal spiritual activity. Most importantly, it helps the practitioner remember the true purpose of the Dharma — not only temporary comfort, but awakening: freedom from ignorance, liberation from suffering, and the realization of one's Buddha nature.

Group practice at Veil Parasol Temple is a peaceful, respectful, and welcoming environment. Newcomers do not need to know everything in advance — they may observe, follow along as they are able, and ask questions at an appropriate time.

A typical session begins with preparation and seating in the shrine hall. Practitioners offer incense, bow to the altar, and settle the mind. The practice may include opening prayers, lineage supplication, chanting, mantra recitation, visualization, meditation, and dedication of merit. Depending on what is scheduled, there may also be prayers for blessing, purification, protection, healing, or the fulfillment of virtuous wishes.

In Vajrayana practice, body, speech, and mind are all involved. The body participates through posture, bowing, and mudra. Speech participates through chanting and mantra. The mind participates through visualization, faith, and meditation. It is natural to feel unfamiliar at first — group practice is not a performance or a test, but a path of gradual learning. With repeated attendance, the chants become familiar, the order of practice becomes clearer, and the practitioner feels more at home in the Dharma.

The most important quality is sincerity. The practitioner does not need to appear perfect or understand every detail. What matters is the willingness to cultivate faith, respect, humility, compassion, and mindfulness — and to join personal wishes with the wish to benefit all beings.