Please join us the weekend of May 26 – May 27 for a celebration of the Buddha’s birthday. This is our biggest celebration of the year, with something for everyone — children, adults, friendly animals, and online participants. All sentient beings are welcome. Come if you can! Click here to print a PDF of the schedule.
Friday, May 26: Temple Night/Jukai
| Morning | Formal in-person sitting at 6:00. Zoom sitting at 7:00. Work as usual at 8:00 a.m. | |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 p.m. (Hybrid) | Temple Night concluding around 9:00 with Jukai (Taking-the-Precepts) | An unstructured time for zazen, offerings, and individual devotions at the main altar in the Buddha Hall (children welcome until 7:30). Will also be broadcast on Zoom.
Following Jukai, the Buddha Hall remains open for informal sitting |
Saturday, May 27: Buddha’s Birthday
| Morning | No formal in-person sitting. Zoom sitting at 7:00. Work as usual at 8:00 a.m. | |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30 a.m. | Rakusu Ceremony (for those who have sewn rakusus) | |
| 11:00 a.m. | Pouring Sweet Tea Over the Baby Buddha | Drop your potluck dishes off in the dining room and then go out to the Buddha Hall. |
| 11:30 a.m. | Chanting and Story of the Buddha’s Birth, followed by Sleeping Sage and Parade. | |
| ~ 12:00 p.m. | Potluck Lunch | Bring a hearty vegetarian picnic salad or casserole to share (no desserts, please – beverages and cake provided by ZC). |
| ~ 1:15 p.m. | Buddha’s Birthday cupcake tower | |
| ~ 1:30 p.m. | Dokusan with John-sensei | |