Buddha Gate Monastery

Photos of 2007 Events

	Dharma Support Association Party and Mid-autumn Festival Sep. 22 There are two meanings of Dharma supporters: to support and protect Buddha’s true teaching and one’s own virtuous cultivation; support and uphold the true wisdom life, which is the essence of everyone’s mind. The Dharma Support Association consists of the president, vice presidents, chief administrators, etc. All work together to practice the bodhisattva Way to benefit self and others, accumulate blessings and wisdom, and vow to attain the supreme enlightenment.
	2007 Pilgrimage to Chung Tai Chan Monastery (Taiwan) Aug. 16 ~ Aug. 29 Situated in the center of Taiwan and surrounded by misty mountains and lush greens, Chung Tai is one of the most magnificent monasteries in the world, and a perfect place for Buddhist cultivators to practice. The design and architecture are both innovative and educational.
	Meritorious Helping Out July 29 The Chan (Zen) Patriarchs say, “Hauling wood and carrying rice are the miraculous powers and marvelous skills.” When we are awakened to Chan, we will be in perfect harmony and be free at all times. Whether we are hauling wood or carrying rice, receiving guests or seeing off friends, everything is the Way. Although our outer environment undergoes myriad changes and transformations, the state of our mind always dwells in suchness and is always clear and mindful. This is the marvelous function of Chan.
	July 4th Celebration July 4 July 4th is the anniversary to celebrate the American spirits, independence, equality, and freedom. Based on the Buddhist practice, we can realize that the true freedom is to liberate from our vexations and the equality is to understand that everyone has the same pure nature. Through the celebration, we reflect inwardly that we are independent because each of us has the Buddha nature and we are interdependent because we have to be responsible for ourselves and the world we live. Light offering to Guan Yin Bodhisattva for world peace after the vegetarian buffet was served. After light offering, the mountain pilgrimage was hold: by practicing concentration and diligence in body, speech, and mind, we eradicate and transform karmic obstacles. And then blessings and wisdom will manifest.
	Meditation Retreat Jun. 10 / July 4 / Oct. 14 Chan (Zen) is in our daily life. Meditation helps us focus our mind. Monthly meditation retreats are taking place for practitioners who want to hone in their practice by no talking, no reading, no writing but solely sitting and walking meditation.
	Buddha Birthday Ceremony and Mother Day Celebration May 13 This gratitude ceremony were held in order to honor and show appreciation to our parents of this life and past lives, in the hope that they will find true happiness within and attain the greatest wisdom. And also to give thanks to our parents for raising us, supporting us, and educating us. Then, we bathed the Buddha, symbolizing the cleansing of our minds.
	Medicine Buddha Gratitude Ceremonies During Summer Retreat May 27 ~ Sep. 9 Together with all the other branches of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan and worldwide will hold Medicine Buddha Blessing Ceremonies during the sangha summer retreat. In these ceremonies we chanted the “Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Radiance Tathagata Original Vows and Merit Sutra.” By practicing and learning from Medicine Buddha's Great Vows, we offer the blessings and merits to our Grand Master Wei Chueh, the Sangha, our Families, all sentient beings, and world peace. All were welcomed to set up blessing and memorial tablets to dedicate the blessings and merits to all living beings.
	Guan Yin Blessings and Memorial Ceremony Feb. 18 / Mar. 25 Monthly ceremonies are taken place in honor of Guan Yin (Avalokiteshvara, the Boddhisattva of Compassion) to bring health and blessings to all. By chanting The Universal Gateway of Bodhisattva Guan Shi Yin / The Sutra on Great Compassionate Repentance, we learn how to develop great compassion, vow to relieve all beings from suffering, and become Guan Yin.
	3 refuges and 5 precepts at Sunnyvale Zen Center (held by the Abbot of CT, Venerable Jian Deng ) Apr. 29 More than 80 members of Buddha Gate Monastery sincerely took 3 refuges and 5 precepts at Zen Center of Sunnyvale, presided by the Abbot of Chung Tai, Venerable Jian Deng.
	Guan Yin Gratitude Ceremony (held by the Abbot of CT, Venerable Jian Deng ) Apr. 28 After more than one year of permit application, we had finally obtained approval to seat the Buddha and Bodhisattva statues on the pedestals. So that all cultivators can pay homage and reflect inwardly by seeing them. The Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, Venerable Jian Deng, upon our sincere invitation, had come from Taiwan to preside at this auspicious ceremony to dedicate the statues of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. (Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compssion)