On March 11, the 5th annual Mercy Release event was held near the Xinliu River in Taicang. Chongen Temple, assisted by the Taicang Economic Development Zone Committee, Taicang Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau and Taicang Agriculture Committee, sponsored the charitable activity.

Participants are promoting environmental protection to pacify the hearts of people. Devotees donated over 60,000 yuan ($9,492) in investments. They released fish such as the black carp, grass carp, silver carp and bighead carp back into the waters.

After a short Buddhist ceremony, people coming from all over the country placed the fish back into the water. The elderly and children folded their hands to pray for their families and others.

In the past five years, Chongen Temple has released fingerlings into the Yangtze River, Jincang Lake and other bodies of water.

Releasing the fingerlings in particular locations has been arranged by the Fishery Politics Station. The activities reflect concerns on ecology, respect for civilization and hope for a harmonious living environment.

Chongen Temple was built in the Northern and Southern Dynasties. At the heigh of its its glory, 5,048 buildings were standing. It has a history of over 1,500 years as one of the 484 temples constructed during the Southern Dynasty. Chongen Temple was reopened with the approval of the Taicang government in 2000.

The monks serve under the leadership of Master Jihua, who spearheaded charity activities to show the love and kindness of Buddhism and to build a harmonious society.