The Avatamsaka Sutra, or the Flower Adornment Sutra demonstrates Buddha’s endless virtues and wisdom through Samantabhadra, Manjushri and other Bodhisattvas in Nine Assemblies and Seven Places. Huayen Lotus Society has been hosting the Avatamsaka Sutra chanting ceremony twice a year, every year since 1957, following the direction of Master Nan Ting, the Abbot at the time.
In response to the severe situation of COVID-19 pandemic, and to prevent the transmission of the virus among religious communities, the preplanned “2020 Year-End Avatamsaka Sutra Chanting Ceremony” will be changed to a One-Month Intensive Practice, starting from 12/13/2020 to 1/10/2021（on the last day of 1/10/2021: Dedication of Merits & Burning Name Plates）. Please contact our office for more detailed information.
Because the pandemic is getting worse in the coming winter, the Main Hall will be closed to the public for now. For those who want to make offerings and pay respect to the deceased, please visit on Saturdays（9：30－16：00）and Sundays（11：15－12：00）, and pay respect at the courtyard South of the Main Hall. Be sure to wear Face Masks when coming here. Please note that on each Sunday during the weekly Dharma Practice, the Main Hall doors facing the South courtyard will only be opened during the Offering Ceremony at noon（11：15－12：00）since the weather is getting cold.
In addition, registration has begun for the following 2021 yearlong services: offerings to the Triple Gem, blessing plates for the living, light offerings to Buddha, pacifying Tai Sui（for the birth year of the Ox, Goat, Horse, Dog）and blessing plates for the deceased. To download application forms, please visit：http://www.huayenusa.org/intro-abls/app-forms . For more details, please contact the office at (408) 942-0874.
On Sunday January 17th, 2021 (December 5th, Lunar Calendar), ABLS will celebrate Bodhi Day, which commemorates the day when Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, attained enlightenment. Starting at 9:00AM, there will be Liturgy of Shakyamuni Buddha, chanting of the Shurangama Mantra (incantation) and the Heart Sutra, vigorous prostration practice, and light offering for wisdom and prosperity. Food Offering Ceremony will be conducted at noon. Starting again at 1:30PM, the assembly will chant the Aspiration of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra and Avatamsaka Syllabary. For evening recitation, there will be Eighty-Eight Buddha Repentance, Meng Shan Food Bestowal Ceremony (Food for the passed away) and dedication of merits to all.
