Since the teaching of compassion is fundamentally important in Buddhism, in many Zen temples each day begins with a ceremony for the Bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshwara or Kanzeon. Our Kanzeon ceremony is a variation of our morning service, emphasizing the scripture of Avalokiteshwara, a chapter of the Lotus sutra.

We will hold this ceremony via zoom, if you would like to join us, please get in touch.

30 minutes of meditation followed by vespers, the last ceremonial of the day. Vespers is the Chanting of The Litany of the Great Compassionate One followed by other short verses.

The Dharma discussion will be on various topics of training in the Soto Zen Tradition.

Meditation, Mid-day Service and Dharma Discussion

Meditation, walking meditation and meditation.

Meditation and practicing the Buddhist Precepts are the foundation of Zen Buddhist Practice. The lay ordination ceremony is a way to formally commit to keeping the precepts; to take the precepts, in this way, is to formally become a Buddhist. At today’s ceremony five people will be taking the precepts and you are welcome to join us in supporting them in taking this step. The ceremony is full of teaching about the precepts and will be followed by a festive tea.

30 minutes of meditation followed by vespers, the last ceremonial of the day. Vespers is the Chanting of The Litany of the Great Compassionate One followed by other short verses.

The Dharma discussion will be on various topics of training in the Soto Zen Tradition.