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Words of Wisdom
When thoughts arise in our minds, we need to distinguish between the “visitors” and the “master.” The visitors are our delusive thoughts, coming and going endlessly, like dust in the air. The “master” is that which recognizes the delusive thoughts, like the empty space in which the dust floats, boundless, always unmoving.
—Words of Wisdom from Grand Master Wei Chueh
起心動念這一念心，一個是「客」，一個是「主」。「客」是指我們的妄想，像空中的灰塵一樣，始終是來來往往的，來也好、去也好；而能知道妄想的這念心，像虛空一樣，始終是寂然不動的主人。
—惟覺安公老和尚法語
(For more words of wisdom)
Buddha’s 3044th Birthday Celebration & Gratitude Medicine Buddha Ceremony
On April 30 at 9:30a.m., Buddha Gate Monastery will host the annual ceremony of Bathing the Buddha and celebrate Buddha’s birthday.
In following with the tradition, an outdoor altar will be arranged as a flower garden, representing the Garden of Lumbini, where Buddha was born. The Abbess will lead the assembly to bathe the infant Buddha statue to celebrate Buddha’s birthday. Bathing the Buddha signifies inner purification. By cleansing away our vexations, defilements and deluded minds, we bring forward our Buddha natures and become enlightened.
88 Buddhas Repentance Ceremony
Join us on Fridays, May 12, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, in chanting the 88 Buddhas. It is an excellent way to clear our karmic obstacles and draw out our inner wisdom.
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 nature, and obtain inner peace and joy. Buddist Service is open to everyone and ideal for first-time visitors. The upcoming dates are April 23, May 7 & 14.
Two-Day Chan Meditation Retreat
Meditation can help you focus your mind, calm down, become more aware, and see things as they truly are. If you have completed the beginning meditation classes, we invite you to participate in the two-day meditation retreat on April 15 and 16 to further advance your meditation practice. Registration required; please contact the monastery to sign up. Please note: the Monastery will be closed to the public during the two day Chan Meditation Retreat.
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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