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 Venerable Master Nan Ting, the Abbot at the time.
In the post-pandemic era, the “2024 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 12/1/2024 and concluding on 12/29/2024 (the last day will feature the Dedication of Merits and the Burning of Name Plates). Please contact our office for more detailed information.
Every 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.
Additionally, from Tuesday to Saturday (8:30 – 16:00), visitors are welcome to come inside the Buddha Hall on their own. Morning and Evening Liturgy are open for participation from Monday to Saturday.
Please note that Lectures such as Expounding the Lotus Sutra, Introduction to the Vimalakīrti Sutra, Happiness in Huayan Sutracontinue to be hosted on ZOOM, as before.
For those 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, feel free to 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.
Registration for 2025 is now open! Offerings include: year-long offerings to the Triple Gem, blessing plates for the living, light offerings to Buddhas, Tai Sui pacification (for those born in the Year of the Snake, Pig, Tiger, Monkey, and Dragon) and blessing plates for the deceased. To download the application forms, please visit: http://www.huayenusa.org/intro-abls/app-forms.
Bodhi Day Dharma Service
On Sunday, January 5th, 2025, ABLS will celebrate Bodhi Day, honoring the day when Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment. The program will begin at 9:00 AM with the Liturgy of Shakyamuni Buddha, including the recitation of the Shurangama Mantra (incantation) and the Heart Sutra, along with a vigorous prostration practice. Abbess Tian He will give an insightful talk on Shakyamuni Buddha’s practices and aspirations. The morning concludes with the Food Offering Ceremony at noon.
The afternoon session will start at 1:30 PM, with recitations of the Aspiration of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra and the Avatamsaka Syllabary. In the evening, the schedule will feature the Eighty-Eight Buddha Repentance, the Meng Shan Food Bestowal Ceremony (offering food for the deceased), and the dedication of merits to all.
