"Qiansengzhai", literally means Buddhist meal for a thousand monks, was practiced on Thursday in Famen Temple, Shaanxi Province in northwest China. 

As part of the 30th anniversary of the recovery of the Buddha finger relics, Qiansengzhai was said to have originated from Sakyamuni’s era. In Chinese Buddhism, eating meals is part of a daily routine, during which monks should keep silent, eat up all the food and think of Buddha’s teaching.

Qiansengzhai is one of the most blissful ceremonies in Buddhism, for the numerous monks it offers. When a meal is held, from the most virtuous Sangha to ordinary monks, everyone will be invited. According to Buddhist legend, wherever there is a Qiansengzhai, there will be an arahant, a title given to someone who has achieved nirvana, inside.

For monks who attend the meal, it’s a good chance to think of the grace of Buddha and alms givers. Qiansengzhai also welcomes volunteers and ordinary Buddhists to join as servers and attendees. It’s not only for blessings, but for better understanding of the essence of Buddhism. In fact, that’s the point of the ceremony: The spirit of altruism in a gradually more egoism world. Harmony and simplicity are also advocated, which are two main doctrines of Buddhism.