A Company of Pilgrims(香会):
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: xiāng huì，Written as:

In Buddhism, “A Company of Pilgrims” refers to a type of religious gathering or ceremony, usually associated with activities such as burning incense, worship, and prayer. Incense in Buddhism symbolizes purification, offering, and wishing, representing respect for the Three Jewels: Buddha, dharma, and sangha. At these gatherings, devotees typically assemble in temples or Buddhist halls to engage in spiritual practices through burning incense, chanting scriptures, and venerating Buddha. Such activities help strengthen the bonds among believers, foster the learning and understanding of Buddha dharma, and serve as a vital means to express devotion and seek merit. A Company of Pilgrims holds profound religious and cultural significance within Buddhist faith.
The origin of A Company of Pilgrims dates back to the Pre Qin Dynasty, gradually taking shape during the Han Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Buddhist atmosphere in the Beijing area was particularly strong, leading to the establishment of many such pilgrim companies. The internal organizational structure, member identities, and ancestral master veneration within these companies all exhibit the folklorization of Buddhism, a trend that was a significant characteristic of Buddhist development during the Ming and Qing periods.