[:en]June / July 2016 Newsletter[:]

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Words of Wisdom

To change our fate, we should focus on the cause instead of the outcome. The Buddhist teaching of causality tells us that what happens in our lives come from our own efforts. Understanding causality means we can create our own destiny. —Words of Wisdom from Grand Master Wei Chueh
要改變命運，必須從「因」上努力，而不是從「果」上去追求。佛法中所說的因果，就是告訴我們，一切要靠自己去努力。知命則能立命，明白這些道理，就能了解命運，創造命運。—惟覺大和尚法語
(For more words of wisdom)

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Gratitude Medicine Buddha Sutra Ceremony During the Sangha Summer Retreat

On Sundays, June 12, and July 10, join us for the Gratitude Ceremony on Medicine Buddha Sutra. The Medicine Buddha is associated with healing and the curing of illnesses, both physical and mental (of which delusion is the root cause) through the medicine of the Buddhist teachings.
From May 14 to August 21, Buddha Gate Monastery invites all Dharma friends and disciples to join us in the daily recitation of the Sutra of the Medicine Buddha Lapis Lazuli Radiance Tathagata during the Sangha Summer Retreat. To learn more about the Sangha Summer Retreat, and to view the daily recitation schedule, please click here.

88 Buddhas Repentance CeremonyPicture21

Join us on Fridays, June 24, and July 22, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, in chanting the 88 Buddhas. It is an excellent way to clear our karmic obstacles and draw out our inner wisdom. Click here to learn more.

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4th of July Peace Ceremony

On Monday, July 4, from 7:30pm to 8:10pm, Buddha Gate Monastery will host our annual 4th of July Peace Ceremony where we chant the Heart Sutra and make candlelight offerings to the Buddha, symbolizing the shattering of our ignorance and illuminating our inner wisdom. As the sun starts to set, we will make our pilgrimage climb up the hill to the Guan Yin statue and enjoy the panoramic view of the Bay Area fireworks. The climb represents the traditional practice of a mountain pilgrimage.

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Half-Day 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 half-day meditation retreat to further advance your meditation practice. The upcoming half-day meditation retreat is on June 5, 19, & 26 from 8:30 am to noon. (Beginning level of Chan meditation class is required.)

  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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Words of Wisdom

To change our fate, we should focus on the cause instead of the outcome. The Buddhist teaching of causality tells us that what happens in our lives come from our own efforts. Understanding causality means we can create our own destiny. —Words of Wisdom from Grand Master Wei Chueh

要改變命運，必須從「因」上努力，而不是從「果」上去追求。佛法中所說的因果，就是告訴我們，一切要靠自己去努力。知命則能立命，明白這些道理，就能了解命運，創造命運。—惟覺大和尚法語

(For more words of wisdom)

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Ullambana Ceremony Meng Shan Food Bestowal and Memorial Service

為報中台堂上開山祖師惟覺安公老和尚法乳慧命再造之恩，四眾弟子於五月十四日至八月十四日啟建「夏安居報恩藥師法會」。在結夏安居圓滿之後，於八月廿八日，佛門寺將啟建「盂蘭盆法會暨小蒙山施食超薦法會」。

經云:「是佛弟子修孝順者，應念念中常憶父母供養，乃至七世父母，年年七月十五日常以孝順慈憶所生父母，乃至七世父母，為作盂蘭盆，施佛及僧，以報父母長養慈愛之恩。」際此法會期間，將恭誦藥師經、盂蘭盆經及小蒙山施食超薦等法事，祈仗 三寶慈力加被，薦拔累世父母業障消除、超生善道，現世父母增福延壽、吉祥平安，並以此嚴淨功德上報四恩，下濟三有，回向世界和平、國泰民安，法界有情，悉發菩提心，共入性海。屆時殷望十方大眾闔府蒞臨，拈香參禮、聞法共修，深植淨因，廣結善緣，共證菩提。

附註：盂蘭盆意義

88 Buddhas Repentance CeremonyPicture21

Join us on Fridays, September 9, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, in chanting the 88 Buddhas. It is an excellent way to clear our karmic obstacles and draw out our inner wisdom. Click here to learn more.

 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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