Year End Avatamsaka Sutra Recitation and Cultivation Dharma Service
The Avatamsaka Sutra, or the Flower Adornment Sutra demonstrates the 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 biannually, without fail, since 1957, following the direction of Master Nan Ting, the Abbot at the time.
In the post-pandemic era, the “2023 Year End Avatamsaka Sutra Recitation and Cultivation Dharma Service” will remain as a One-Month Intensive Practice (please refer to the attached timetable for details), commencing from 12/3/2023 and concluding on 12/31/2023 (the last day will feature the Dedication of Merits and the Burning of Name Plates). Please contact our office for more detailed information.
On Sunday (9:00 – 15:30), all are cordially invited to join us inside the Buddha Hall without the need for prior appointments. For those planning to stay for the afternoon service, we offer a complimentary lunch. Please bring your lunch box and utensils and savor your meal in the tranquil courtyard or your own vehicle.
From Tuesday to Saturday (9:30 – 16:00), people can also come inside the Buddha Hall on their own. Additionally, from Monday to Saturday, we welcome everyone to partake in the Morning and Evening Liturgy by scheduling an appointment.
Please note that Lectures such as Expounding the Avatamsaka Sutra, Introduction to the Vimalakīrti Sutracontinue to be hosted on ZOOM, as before. The Dining Hall, Library, and other areas remain closed to the public at this time.
Should you wish to make offerings to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, support the temple, make light offerings, or set up blessing plates for the living or the deceased, you can register in person or call the office (408-942-0874) during our regular hours (9:30 – 16:00 Tuesday to Sunday). Alternatively, you can send your requests by mail, email at info@huayenusa.org ,or reach out to us through our official website at https://www.huayenusa.org/contact-us. We will be glad to be of further assistance.
In addition, registration is now open for the upcoming year of 2024, which includes year-long offering to the Triple Gem, blessing plates for the living, light offerings to Buddhas, pacifying Tai Sui (for the birth year of the Dragon, Dog, Ox, Goat, Rabbit) and blessing plates for the deceased. To download application forms, please visit: http://www.huayenusa.org/intro-abls/app-forms.
On Sunday, January 14th, 2024 (December 4th, 2023 Lunar Calendar), ABLS will celebrate Bodhi Day, which commemorates the day when Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment. The program will commence at 9:00AM and will include the Liturgy of Shakyamuni Buddha, the recitation of the Shurangama Mantra (incantation) and the Heart Sutra, as well as vigorous prostration practice. Abbess Tian He will then offer an insightful introduction to Shakyamuni Buddha’s practice and aspirations. At noon, the Food Offering Ceremony will take place.
The afternoon program, beginning at 1:30 PM, will involve the congregation reciting the Aspiration of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra and the Avatamsaka Syllabary. In the evening, there will be the Eighty-Eight Buddha Repentance, the Meng Shan Food Bestowal Ceremony (offering food for the deceased), and the dedication of merits to all.
