Avalokiteshwara is the bodhisattva of compassion and embodies the compassionate aspect of Buddha Nature, which can be found and cultivated in each of us. The name Avalokiteshwara is Sanskrit (Japanese: Kanzeon, Chinese: Kwan Yin, Tibetan: Chenrezig), and means “The regarder the cries of the world”. To practice compassion is to pay attention to the cries of suffering within ourselves and from those around us and to be willing to respond positively to that suffering

At this festival, a variety of images of Avalokiteshwara are placed around the temple and we circumambulate the hall and bow to each image as we pass it. This represents the appearance of compassion in many different forms and sometimes in unexpected ways. We can come to know a deeper peace and contentment in our lives when we accept, and bow to, all these different appearances of the real.

The ceremony will be followed by a short Dharma talk and 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.

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 instruction and an introduction to our practice and the ceremonial aspects of the Soto Zen tradition.

Meditation, Mid-day Service and Dharma Discussion

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.

One of the foundations of our practice is looking at our minds through the lens of the Bodhisattva Precepts and this evening we will have an open discussion about the Precepts and other aspects of practice.

Meditation, walking meditation and meditation.