The content of this article is written with authoritative sources, and the source and screenshots of the literature have been marked at the end of the article, please be aware.
Dogenji Temple: A pure nunnery in the Tohoku region
Nestled in the mountains of Haicheng City, Liaoning Province, Daoyuan Temple is surrounded by verdant mountains, and the natural environment provides a quiet and isolated space for the nunnery. The architectural style of the temple is simple and solemn, and the red walls and green tiles look very peaceful under the sunlight. In autumn, the surrounding trees become colorful, adding a solemn and tranquil beauty to this religious shrine.
Since its establishment in 2001, Dogenji Temple has been an exclusive place for female practitioners. There are no male monks, all the abbots and practitioners are women, and through rigorous Buddhist studies and daily spiritual activities, they gradually get rid of the distractions of the world, and achieve inner purity and spiritual sublimation.
Although the original Daoyuan Temple was quiet, it was not well staffed, and only two bhikshuni masters and a dozen monks maintained its daily operations. These early practitioners were busy with a variety of activities inside and outside the temple every day, from chanting sutras in the early morning to meditating after dusk, each of which was strictly practiced in accordance with Buddhist canons.
Over time, Dogenji gradually established a reputation in religious and spiritual circles. More believers and students are drawn to the tranquil and spiritually pursued environment. Women from all over the world wanted to seek peace of mind and salvation through ordination, and the number of people at the temple increased to more than 100 in a few decades.
There is a strict system of norms and precepts within the temple that has clear requirements and tests for all women who wish to become nuns. Women who have just entered the temple are called apprentices, and their lives are similarly regulated, but slightly different in their practices and responsibilities. At this stage, they mainly learn the basics of Buddhism, such as chanting and meditation techniques, as well as the basic rules of daily life in the temple.
During these two to three years of apprenticeship, these apprentices are required to learn gradually how to fully immerse themselves in this rigorous spiritual environment. They attend daily morning and evening classes, study Buddhist scriptures, and are also involved in the daily maintenance of the temple, such as cleaning, taking care of the garden, and preparing daily meals. This stage is not only a physical and mental challenge, but also a test of their spirit and faith.
It is only when these lay trainees demonstrate sufficient devotion and understanding of Buddhist teachings, as well as pass the various tests set by the temple, that they have the opportunity to become official nuns. The ordination ceremony is an important event that marks their complete renunciation from their secular life and their complete dedication to Buddhism and spiritual practice.
After the ordination, nuns have a greater responsibility not only to continue their practice, but also to guide and help the new initiations. They teach newcomers how to chant properly, meditate, how to maintain a high degree of self-discipline in their life in the temple, and how to practice Buddhist teachings in their daily lives.
Before sunrise, the whole temple begins its day. The nuns would gather in the Mahavira Hall for their morning chanting and meditation. The temple reverberates with Sanskrit sounds, and the day's practice officially begins. The apprentices sat quietly beside them, listening carefully to the teachings of the masters and learning their every move.
Asceticism and self-discipline in life
At Daoyuan Temple, the daily life of the nuns is fixed and strict, and their daily routines follow the precepts of the temple, and the rules and regulations of life are clear and clear. Every morning at two o'clock in the morning, when the temple bell rings, all the nuns get up from their modest bedrooms and begin their day's spiritual life. After making their beds briefly, they went to the water room to wash up, and then rushed to the Mahavira Hall for morning class.
The nuns had very limited sleep time, only four hours a day. The purpose of such strict regulations is to develop their endurance and willpower, so that they can concentrate more on their spiritual practice. Even with such a tight schedule, they are still able to maintain a high level of mental state and participate in every activity.
Regarding food and drink, the rules of Dogenji Temple are equally strict. The nuns only have a communal meal once a day around noon, and the meals are simple and light, usually consisting of local vegetables and basic soy products. Before each meal, they sit quietly in the dining room for a moment to prepare for the meal with a meditative mind. The dining hall is simply furnished, and each nun has a fixed seat to keep the meal orderly and quiet.
During the meal, the nuns remained silent so that they could focus more on the taste of the food and a state of gratitude. In the process, they chew slowly, savoring each bite of food. After the meal, each nun is responsible for washing their own rice bowls and utensils, which is not only a manifestation of self-service, but also reinforces their awareness of conservation and environmental protection.
The process of washing dishes is also seen as a practice. When the nuns wash the dishes, every action requires care and order, and the washing is done with the least amount of water, ensuring that no resources are wasted. The washed dishes are neatly placed back in their respective places for the next use. This attention to detail is part of their daily lives and a reflection of their spiritual cultivation.
At Dogenji Temple, the end of each day is after the evening class at 10 p.m. The nuns perform their final chanting and meditation in the treasure hall and then quietly return to their rooms. Despite the abundance and intensity of the day, they maintain peace and strict self-discipline, a way of life that leads to spiritual purification and self-transcendence.
Isolation from the outside world
At Daoyuan Temple, the nuns' lives are far from the hustle and bustle of modern society. The absence of modern communication facilities such as computers, televisions or the internet inside the temple helped the nuns maintain a pure and undisturbed environment so that they could focus more on their Buddhist studies and inner cultivation.
Outside the gate of the temple, there is a huge wooden plaque engraved with the words "Qing Monastery, no tourism". These slogans emphasize that the temple is a place focused on spiritual practice and not an ordinary tourist destination.
Although the temple is open to the public and outsiders are allowed to visit and study, all visitors are required to receive a brief introduction to the rules before entering. The temple administrators will explain to each visitor that there are no money, photography, noise, smoking, and spitting. These regulations were put in place to maintain tranquility and cleanliness within the temple and to ensure that all those present at the temple can feel a solemn and calm atmosphere.
The main activity areas of the temple, such as the Mahavira Hall and the meditation hall, are marked with clear signage to indicate silence and cleanliness. In these areas, nuns often engage in chanting, meditation and other spiritual activities, and visitors are not allowed to speak in these areas, but can only observe or participate in them quietly.
In addition, the layout of the temple's interior also encourages a modest and modest-minded lifestyle. The living, studying, and ashram areas are well distributed, each with a clear function and a prescribed code of conduct.
In the cafeteria and accommodation area, although simple, each place maintains a high level of cleanliness and order. In the dining room, there are no decorations on the tables, and there are only Buddhist slogans or simple illustrations about the practice on the walls. In the rooms in the dormitory, each nun's bed, wardrobe and personal belongings are well organized, reflecting the self-discipline and rigor of their daily life.
Walking Feet: Cultivation and Testing
Every year after the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the nuns of Daoyuan Monastery begin their two-week "walking journey" – their annual spiritual journey to deepen their practice and understanding of the Dharma. During this time, the nuns leave the temple and walk more than 600 kilometers on foot through towns and villages.
The starting point for the walk is usually the temple itself, where the nuns don simple walking clothing and sturdy shoes and carry the necessary bags on their backs after the early morning rituals. The bag contains the most basic items such as water bottles, simple food, scriptures, etc. The nuns' footwear was usually a uniform grey or brown robe, as a sign of simplicity.
The route was carefully planned to ensure that the nuns were able to walk in a safe environment while being able to reach different communities as part of their begging practice. As they walked, the nuns gradually let go of the shackles of daily life and experienced and practiced the selflessness and renunciation of Buddhism through the minimalist lifestyle of walking and begging.
During the walk, the nuns relied entirely on begging for food to survive, because they did not take the money vow, they did not carry money, and they did not accept money donations. While begging, nuns would stop in front of the markets or residential areas of the villages, stand quietly with their hands folded, and wait for alms from the well-wishers. They usually receive simple foods such as rice, vegetables or bread, which are daily foods for the local population.
Nuns always express gratitude when receiving food, but do not engage in too much conversation or expression. They receive food, no matter how small, they always accept it with gratitude and are never picky. This process of begging is not only for the needs of survival, but also a spiritual cultivation, allowing nuns to learn to rely on others while also experiencing the importance of letting go of self and material desires.
In the evenings, the nuns usually set up camp in the village's public facilities, such as schools or temples, or spend the night in their homes at the invitation of the generous residents. They would have evening classes at their settlements, including chanting and meditation, and then share the food they begged for the day. After a simple sharing of food, they take an early break to regain their strength and prepare for the next day's trip.
The nuns deepened their understanding and experience of the Dharma in their practice. Through their first-hand experience of the hardships of begging and long journeys, they actually experienced the simplicity of life and peace of mind, which for them was an important step towards spiritual freedom and inner peace.
Reference: Female dervishes in China: begging for food and sleeping in the wild