Mount Wutai, a holy Buddhist site in Shanxi province held a large prayer ceremony in its Zhulin Temple, on July 23, chinanews.com reports, noting that the ceremony attracted more than 100 devotees and had calligraphy and musical accompaniment, to combine Buddhism with violins, Peking opera, and the Chinese zither.

Praying on Mount Wutai, Shanxi province, on July 23. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

Master Yin Neng, opened the ceremony with a chant and music that he said he had been working on for almost a year. He explained that most of the music is used daily where monks pray.

Later, Buddhists from China and abroad recited the Avatamsaka Sutra, followed Master Kuan Guang chanting in both Chinese and English. Avatamsaka (Flower Garland) Sutra is one of the most influential Mahayana sutras of East Asia and flourished during the Tang Dynasty.

Buddhists from the US, France, Canada and Great Britain reciting the Avatamsaka Sutra on Mount Wutai, Shanxi province, on July 23. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

In commenting on the reason for being there, one student majoring in Chinese Buddhism at Oxford University told the media, "I want to comfort people and give them spiritual power by using my own voice."

Master Miao Jiang, vice-head of China's Buddhist Assoc., addressing the assembly by saying that the musical prayer was held to pray for world peace and people's welfare.