Vesak Buddha’s Birthday Celebration
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Pouring Tea Over Baby Buddha
We celebrate the birth of the Buddha to express gratitude for this practice he gave us that can liberate us from suffering. The Precepts describe a skillful way of living and represent the way a liberated being would naturally behave—a life dedicated to alleviating suffering everywhere. Jukai is a time when we recite the Precepts as a way of recommitting ourselves to the practice. For those who have not yet taken the Precepts, this ceremony serves as a type of initiation into the Sangha.
Join us at Turtleback Zendo on May 25th for celebrations, games, mindfulness, and gratitude. We will hear stories from the life of the Buddha and hold two Jukai ceremonies. The first will be for children and will be immediately followed by an adult Jukai ceremony. Children are welcome to choose to attend both ceremonies or start the afternoon’s activities with supervision during adult Jukai.
For more information, check out the schedule below and feel free to contact Turtleback via email if you have any questions.
This Vesak marks the first formal celebration in the Buddhist calendar for our growing Zen community. Come out and spend time renewing your spirit.
We celebrate the birth of the Buddha to express gratitude for this practice he gave us that can liberate us from suffering. The Precepts describe a skillful way of living and represent the way a liberated being would naturally behave—a life dedicated to alleviating suffering everywhere. Jukai is a time when we recite the Precepts as a way of recommitting ourselves to the practice. For those who have not yet taken the Precepts, this ceremony serves as a type of initiation into the Sangha.
This Vesak marks the first formal celebration in the Buddhist calendar for our growing Zen community. Come out and spend time renewing your spirit.
Saturday, May 25
7:30-9:30:
Meditation and chanting. Adults only (and older children as mentioned above). Again all are welcome for some or all this period of meditation.
9:30: Set up for tea ceremony
10-10:30
Arrival of families and people of all ages to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday / Vesak
1. Tea ceremony
2. Pouring sweet tea over baby Buddha.
10:30-10:45
1. Story of the Buddha’s birth
2. Songs: Who Is Buddha and We Are All Buddha
10:45-11:15
Waking the Sleeping Sage for story telling
11:15-12:00
Children’s Jukai followed by Adult Jukai (taking the precepts) Note: All are welcome to participate, there is no advance requirement. You can decide in the moment!
12:00- 1:30
Pot Luck Lunch/Mindfulness Games in yard/ nature walk.