Kannon Day • January Prostrations, chanting, and incense offerings to honor and express gratitude to the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Read more . . .
Parinirvana Ceremony • February A sitting which concludes with a special chanting service and an account of the Buddha’s entry into final nirvana. Read More . . .
Temple Nights • April Two evenings of unstructured devotional activities with beautifully adorned altars in the Buddha Hall. Read More . . .
Jukai • April and November Formal ceremony of entering the Buddha's Way. Repentance; chanting; taking the Sixteen Precepts. Read More . . .
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. Read More . . .
The Buddha’s Birthday, Vesak • May Story of the Buddha's birth; elephant parade; Jataka tales; pot-luck picnic with birthday cake; presents for all children. Read More . . .
Water Baby Ceremony • August For those who have died through miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion. Tiny garments are sewn and placed on Jizo figures. Read More . . .
World Peace Day • September Chanting service for World Peace. All the world's countries are recited with the prayer, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Read More . . .
Bodhidharma Day • October Honoring the Founder of Zen, Bodhidharma. with zazen and a special chanting service with offerings. Read More . . .
Hungry Ghost Ceremony • October Special Hungry Ghost Altar set up for receiving food and water offerings; Hungry Ghost play; chanting; trick-or-treating; party. Read More . . .
Oxfam Fast Day • November Ceremony with chanting, prostrations and circumambulation. Monetary and food donations for hunger relief. Read More . . .
Thanksgiving • November Beautiful ceremony of gratitude with food offerings; chanting; circumambulation. Read More . . .
Rohatsu • December Special ceremony honoring the Buddha’s Enlightenment, including a special reading, chanting and sutra “tossing.” Read More . . .
New Year’s Eve • December 31 Zazen interspersed with ceremonies throughout the evening, ending with a New Year's prayer; Read More . . .
Other Ceremonies & Services Ceremonies of Aid; Famine Relief Ceremonies; weddings, naming ceremonies for babies, memorial services and funerals. See gallery.
