Suzhou Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest

Suzhou Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest

The Lay Buddhists' Forest is a place where lay Buddhists gather to study and practice together. Its purpose is to follow the teachings of the Buddha, inherit and promote the Buddhist principles of balancing farming and meditation, emphasizing academic research, and fostering friendly interactions. The 'Suzhou Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest,' located at No. 31 Jiaxiang Lane, was formerly composed of various Lotus Societies of different sizes. In 1930, after Master Yinguang came to Suzhou, he advocated the practice of Buddha-recitation. As the number of followers grew, twelve Lotus Societies were successively established: Jueshe, Jingxin, Jingxing, Jinglian, Jingye, Puren, Xiangguang, Qingxin, Yuanshu, Puti, Yuanjue, and Qixiang, with a total of over 800 members.

After the liberation, many lay Buddhists, eager to enhance their knowledge of Buddhism, hoped for the restoration of the Lay Buddhists' Forest to facilitate their practice. In 1958, the various Lotus Societies merged and were collectively named the Suzhou Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest. The first representative meeting of forest members was held, electing Xie Zupei and Wu Shuren as the chairman and vice-chairman, respectively. The forest's location was set at No. 31 Jiaxiang Lane, Lindun Road. The Lay Buddhists' Forest regularly held religious activities and frequently invited monks to preach, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere that was highly praised in the Buddhist community. It became well-known across the Jiangnan region, attracting many visitors.

During the Cultural Revolution, the Lay Buddhists' Forest could not escape the turmoil. In the autumn of 1966, its premises were occupied, Buddha statues were destroyed, and members scattered. After the Cultural Revolution, the Lay Buddhists' Forest was restored. In May 1984, religious activities resumed at the Aida Hall of Xiyuan Temple, where lay Buddhists engaged in purified practice. In the same year, the second representative meeting of forest members was held, electing Wu Shuren as the forest leader, Wu Jingxiu and Yin Yingchuan as deputy leaders, and Qian Fuyuan as the secretary-general. In July 1987, the Suzhou Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest held its restoration ceremony at its original site (Jiaxiang Lane). In November of the same year, the third representative meeting of forest members was convened, electing Wu Shuren as the forest leader, Qiu Yingchuan and Qian Fuyuan as deputy leaders, with Qian Fuyuan also serving as the secretary-general. The fourth representative meeting of forest members was held in 1994.

The Suzhou Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest covers an area of 950 square meters, with a total building area of over 1,000 square meters. It includes structures such as the main hall, Guanyin Hall, Medicine Buddha Hall, Buddha-recitation Hall, and scripture depository. Currently, there are over 1,200 members. Above the entrance of the Lay Buddhists' Forest hangs a brick-engraved plaque inscribed with the name 'Suzhou Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest,' which was personally written in 1987 by Zhao Puchu, the then president of the Buddhist Association of China.