2014 December Newsletter2014 December Newsletter

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Liang Huang Jeweled Repentance Ceremony

Please join us for the Liang Huang Jeweled Repentance Ceremony taking place every day from December 28 to January 3. (Click on the daily schedule in English or Chinese). This is an opportunity for repentance, reflection, and forgiveness. Cleanse the improper karma of our past and welcome 2015 with a pure mind. The repentance liturgy will be recited each day in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Click here for more details.

2015 New Year Blessing Ceremony

We invite you to participate in the 2015 New Year Blessing Ceremony on January 1st at 9:30 AM. The ceremony helps us to learn from the past and work on the right causes in the present. The striking of the bell at the end of the ceremony calls for the awakening from our delusions and liberation of all sentient beings. Join us for a free vegetarian lunch immediately following the ceremony.

Transmission of Three Refuges: Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 9:30 am

To formally become a Buddhist, one must take refuge in the Three Jewels: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, which can provide us with the right direction and wisdom in eradicating the obstacles to Enlightenment. On behalf of our founding Abbot, Grand Master WeiChueh, the Zen Center Abbot JianYing Shifu will transmit the Three Refuges at 9:30 am on January 1, 2015. If you are interested in taking the Three Refuges, please contact Buddha Gate Monastery for an application.

Sign up for Classes Now!

The next series of twelve week classes starts January 12. Click here to sing up.

Buddha Gate Monastery offers twelve-week classes of different levels in English and Chinese. The classes progress from the beginning Zen meditation and fundamentals of Buddhism, 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.

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New! Bodhi Youth Class for Children Ages 11 to 17

In response to many requests from parents, Buddha Gate Monastery is starting its first youth class for children ages 11 to 17. The Bodhi Youth class builds from the Bodhi Seed program and broadens its curriculum to an older group of students.  The class meets every other Friday night to meditate, learn about Buddhism, and practice applying its wisdom at home, school, and with friends. This engaging class is led by Venerable Master Jian Sheng, our Abbess.

Picture1Lamp 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. For the New Year, we invite you to make a Buddha Lamp Offering for a period of one year (January 1 to December 31).

Please contact Buddha Gate for more information.

Chinese New Year Celebration and Eighty-eight Buddhas Repentance Ceremony

On Sunday, February 22 from 9:30 am to noon, Buddha Gate Monastery invites you to celebrate the Lunar New Year and participate in the Eighty-eight Buddhas Repentance Ceremony. The Abbess will led the congregation 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.

Food Drive

Food Drive

This holiday season, Buddha Gate Monastery is conducting a Vegetarian Food Drive to benefit our local Food Bank. In these difficult economic times, please consider giving generously to those less fortunate. Thank you for your support! 

Food donations must be non-perishable (i.e., rice, pasta, canned goods) and not expired. Ingredients such as alcohol, meat, seafood, eggs, gelatin, rennet, garlic, onions, scallions, leeks, chives, Chinese chives, and cilantro are not recommended.