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Words of Wisdom
The Buddha Dharma teaches us that our mind is the Dharma Realms; a dark mindset fills the entire Dharma Realm with darkness. There is both good and evil in our mind; however, within a single thought, the mind is enlightened, and the darkness of tens, hundreds and even thousands of years will be dispelled without a trace.
—Words of Wisdom from Grand Master Wei Chueh
(For more words of wisdom)
佛法告訴我們，心就是法界，心黑暗，整個法界都黑暗。 善與惡都在這念心，只要念頭一轉、心燈一照，過去幾十年、 幾百年、幾千年的黑暗立刻消失得無影無蹤。
—惟覺安公老和尚法語
2018 Lunar New Year Blessing Ceremony
On Friday, February 16 from 11:00 to 11:50 A.M., Buddha Gate Monastery invites you to celebrate the Lunar New Year and participate in the ringing of the auspicious bell to bring forward a harmonious New Year. The ringing of the bell also reminds us to stay true to our awakening path to enlightenment. Join us for a free vegetarian lunch immediately following the ceremony.
Eighty-Eight Buddhas Repentance Ceremony
The eighty-eight Buddhas repentance liturgy was compiled from these two sutras: one is “Sutra of the Medicine King and Superior Medicine Bodhisattvas ” and the other is “The Sutra of the Great Accumulation of Treasures”. In the sutra, it is said that when you are mindful of the Buddha’s name, you will receive infinite blessings, when you sincerely bow to the Buddha, you will irradicate infinite misdeeds. On Sunday, February 25, from 9:30 to 12:00, join us in the 88 Buddhas Repentance Ceremony. Chanting the 88 Buddhas’ names is a practice that allows us to pay respect to all the Buddhas who have already attained enlightenment, repent on our misdeeds, reduce our false ego, and help us to see our true nature. Join us for a free vegetarian lunch immediately following the ceremony.
Sign up for January Classes
The next series of twelve-week classes start January 6. Click here to sign up. There will not be classes on February 16, in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Buddha Gate Monastery offers twelve-week classes of different levels in English and Chinese, from Leven I to Leven III and even to advanced sutra studies. Each class meets for about two hours, consisting of meditation practice in the first hour, and a lecture on Buddhist teachings in the second hour. Everyone is welcome. The classes are free; the Monastery is funded by unsolicited donations. Visit our website under “classes” for more details.
Bodhi Seed and Bodhi Youth Classes Start This Week
The next series of ten week Bodhi Seed children’s meditation classes starts Saturday, January 20 at 10:15 AM. It’s a great class for children ages 5 to 10 and is designed to help students discover their inner wisdom through meditation and Chan stories. The creatively designed curriculum consists of instructions on meditation techniques, Dharma talks, Buddhist/Chan stories, mind-developing activities, group discussions, and fun crafts.For older students, the Bodhi Youth Class builds from the Bodhi Seed program, and is tailored to youth between the ages of 10 to 17. The class is held every other Friday night from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. This session’s meeting dates are January 19; February 2; March 2, 16, and 30. (No class on February 16 because of the Lunar New Year). Parents welcome. Click here to sign up for either classes.
One Stick of Incense
One Stick of Incense Buddhist Service consists of chanting the sutras in English, meditating, and Dharma talk. This process helps us purify our minds and develop our inner wisdom and compassion. We finish by dedicating merits to all sentient beings in hope that they will awaken to their pure natures, and obtain inner peace and joy. This one hour service starts at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays and at 10:30 a.m., on January 14, 21, and 28, February 4, 11 and 18, is open to everyone and ideal for first-time visitors.
Lamp Offering
Making a Lamp Offering to the Buddha is a way to honor the Buddha while awakening our own intrinsic wisdom. According to the scriptures, when making a Buddha lamp offering, we gain good health, purity of the mind, freedom from worries, and extinction of ignorance. We can also dedicate the merits to our loved ones and all humanity. You can now sign up to make a Lamp Offering for the year 2018 (January 1 to December 31).
Meritorious Volunteering
Volunteers form an important part of the Buddha Gate community. You can help the monastery by maintaining the buildings and grounds, working in the kitchen, and preparing for ceremonial events. By generously offering your time to support the monastery you not only accumulate blessings, but also practice patience, compassion, tolerance and working harmoniously with others, thereby developing the Chan state of mind and applying it toward everyday life. The monastery invites everyone to participate in the meritorious volunteering every Sunday afternoon.
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