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Ceremonies

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Kannon Day altar

Kannon Day • January

Prostrations, chanting, and incense offerings to honor and express gratitude to the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Read more . . .

Parinirvana Buddha

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 Night Altar

Temple Nights • April

Two evenings of unstructured devotional activities with beautifully adorned altars in the Buddha Hall. Read More . . .

Jukai altar

Jukai • April and November

Formal ceremony of entering the Buddha's Way. Repentance; chanting; taking the Sixteen Precepts. Read More . . .

Roshi Kapleau Memorial

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 . . .

Jizo Bodhisattvas

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 . . .

Vermont Zen Center

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 altar

Bodhidharma Day • October

Honoring the Founder of Zen, Bodhidharma. with zazen and a special chanting service with offerings. Read More . . .

Hungry Ghost Altar

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 . . .

enso

Oxfam Fast Day • November

Ceremony with chanting, prostrations and circumambulation. Monetary and food donations for hunger relief. Read More . . .

Thanksgiving altar

Thanksgiving • November

Beautiful ceremony of gratitude with food offerings; chanting; circumambulation. Read More . . .

The Buddha

Rohatsu • December

Special ceremony honoring the Buddha’s Enlightenment, including a special reading, chanting and sutra “tossing.” Read More . . .

New Year's Eve Welcome

New Year’s Eve • December 31

Zazen interspersed with ceremonies throughout the evening, ending with a New Year's prayer; Read More . . .

wedding

Other Ceremonies & Services

Ceremonies of Aid; Famine Relief Ceremonies; weddings, naming ceremonies for babies, memorial services and funerals. See gallery.

About the center

The Vermont Zen Center was founded in 1988 to provide a peaceful environment for the study and practice of Zen Buddhism. The Center is dedicated to helping people overcome suffering through spiritual development and social outreach.
Address: 480 Thomas Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482 Phone: 802-985-9746 E-mail: info@vermontzen.org
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