(File photo of a meditation hall in Zhengzhou)
For those seeking a state of Zen in the middle of urban life, a new resource is being offered by Shaolin Temple. The temple opened Shaolin Chan Hall in Beijing on Dec. 3, the latest meditation hall in China's hustling and bustling capital city.
The first group of VIP guests meditated on the day of the opening at a spring resort in Tongzhou district in the east of Beijing. As an affiliated branch of Shaolin Temple, Shaolin Chan Hall locations have been popping up in several cities since 2013. The one in Beijing offers Zen Buddhist meditation, Buddhist sutra reading, health consultations and a Buddhism seminar, China Youth Daily reported.
The headquarters of these meditation halls is located in Zhengzhou, Henan province, while Shaolin Temple is in Dengfeng, Henan.
"We hope to establish Chan halls in various cities and communities to better integrate Zen Buddhism with modern life. I believe Chan halls will play an active role in improving people's livelihoods and spirits," said Abbot Shi Yongxin of Shaolin Temple.
Meditation halls are not new to Beijing, where eight similar Buddhist meditation venues have already been established. In Shanghai, some temples also provide Zen Buddhism meditation courses, which are reportedly popular among white-collar workers attempting to relieve pressure through meditation and healthier lifestyles.
