Buddhist Mantra Ceremonies by Buddhist Abbots And Monks At The Shaolin Temple.

During October and November 2003, the Shaolin Temple was the venue for a series of 49 Mantra ceremonies. 49 different Abbots came to the Shaolin Temple from 49 different Buddhist Temples to conduct the ceremonies on 49 different days. The purpose of the Shaolin Temple ceremonies was to raise funds to support orphaned children and poor people. The Mantra incantations were performed by the Shaolin Temple Buddhist Monks, dressed in their Buddhist Robes. The robes of the Abbots were more elaborate, some with embroidered motifs. Others wore long necklaces of prayer beads and long embroidered sashes draped around their necks.

On each of the 49 days a visiting Buddhist Abbot was escorted by his Monks and Disciples through the crowds assembled outside the Shaolin Hall where the Mantra Ceremonies were performed. The Shaolin Temple Monks and Disciples had already assembled in the hall, dressed in their saffron robes and red cloaks, having earlier been summoned to attend by a disciple ringing a handbell, as he walked past their residential quarters. The entourage of some of the visiting abbots included a film cameraman and he filmed his Abbot as he went through all the Buddhist rituals.

During the ceremonies, Disciples of the visiting Abbots assembled outside the Shaolin Temple doors to join in the incantations. At the end of the ceremonies at the Shaolin Temple, Buddhist Monk, Master Xing Du, gathered an offering of Bread from the Altar of the Buddha. The Bread was placed on the Incense Burner outside the Shaolin Temple, to honor the Spririts Of The Dead.