Prostrations, chanting, and incense offerings to honor and express gratitude to the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
Parinirvana Ceremony • February
A sitting which concludes with a special chanting service and an account of the Buddha’s entry into final nirvana.
Temple Nights • April
Two evenings of unstructured devotional activities with beautifully adorned altars in the Buddha Hall.
Jukai • April and November
Formal ceremony of entering the Buddha's Way. Repentance Ceremony; chanting; “incense offering”; taking the Sixteen Precepts.
Roshi Kapleau Memorial • May
A half-day Sunday sitting with chanting, special services, and a taped teisho from the archive of Roshi Kapleau’s talks.
The Buddha’s Birthday, Vesak • May
Offerings made by participants; story and play of the Buddha's birth; elephant parade; Jataka tales; pot-luck picnic with birthday cake; presents for all children. See gallery.
Water Baby Ceremony • August
Ceremony for those who have died through miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion. Tiny garments are sewn and placed on Jizo figures. Chants and offerings are made.
World Peace Day • September
Chanting services devoted to Peace on Earth. All the countries and geographical areas are recited with the peace prayer, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”
Bodhidharma Day • October
Honoring the Founder of Zen. Zazen, special chanting service with offerings.
Hungry Ghost Ceremony • October
Special Hungry Ghost Altar set up for receiving food and water offerings; Hungry Ghost play; chanting; trick-or-treating; party.
Oxfam Fast Day • November
Ceremony with zazen followed by chanting, prostrations and circumambulation. Monetary and food donations for hunger relief.
Thanksgiving • November
Beautiful ceremony of gratitude with food offerings; chanting; circumambulation.
Rohatsu • December
Seven-day sesshin starts with special ceremony honoring the Buddha’s Enlightenment, including a special reading, chanting and sutra “tossing.”
New Year’s Eve • December 31
Zazen; Repentance Ceremony; reading of resolutions; incense offerings at altars; driving out of demons circumambulation with noise-making; Precepts ceremony; candle-lighting ceremony; New Year's prayer; and more.
Other Ceremonies & Services
Ceremonies of Aid; Famine Relief Ceremonies; weddings, naming ceremonies for babies, memorial services and funerals. See gallery.
