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.
From December 16th, 2018 (Sunday) to December 23th, 2018 (Sunday), ABLS will host an eight-day ceremony chanting the Avatamsaka Sutra Volumes 60 through 81. Abbess Tian Cheng will also lecture on the essentials of the sutra. With the blessings from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, may all sentient beings roam through the world-systems of the Flower Treasury and enter the Vairocana’s nature sea.
On the last day, Buddha honoring services will be conducted to bless the living as well as to liberate the deceased.
The chanting ceremony will start at 8:30 AM on each day. You are all cordially invited to participate in the event and receive the blessings.
On January 13th, 2019 (Sunday), ABLS will celebrate the Bodhi Day, which commemorates the day when Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, attained enlightenment. Starting at 9:00 AM, Shakyamuni Buddha honoring service will be conducted; Abbess Tian Cheng will also lecture on Shakyamuni Buddha’s practices and vows. Then there will be food offering ceremony and vegetarian lunch. In the afternoon, the assembly will chant the Aspiration of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, followed by Eighty-Eight Buddha Repentance, Meng Shan Food Bestowal Ceremony (Food for the passed away). Everyone is invited.
Registration has begun for the following yearlong services: offerings to the Triple Gem, blessing plates for the living, light offerings to Buddha, pacifying Tai Sui (for the birth year of Pig, Snake, Monkey, Tiger) and blessing plates for the deceased.
