Commemoration of the Buddha’s Enlightenment
Thursday, January 18th, 2024, was the 8th day of the 12th month on the traditional East Asian lunar calendar. This is the date for Sambodhi-puja (in Korean, Seong-do-jae-il), the commemoration of the enlightenment of the Buddha almost 2,600 years ago.
A common practice on this occasion is an all-night meditation, ending early the next morning, just as tradition says the Buddha achieved enlightenment with the rising of Venus, the morning star.
To accommodate a zoning-board hearing related to our facility on the correct date, a live service was scheduled for Friday, Jan. 19th, at 7pm. However, because of bad weather the service was moved to YouTube Live instead.
Link to the live-stream of the service on YouTube
Click here to download BZC Buddha’s Enlightenment Liturgy (PDF)
The next Buddha’s Enlightenment commemoration will be Jan. 8, 2025
Lunar New Year Service
Saturday, February 10th, 2024, was New Year’s Day on the traditional East Asian lunar calendar. A special service was held, featuring the 108 Prostrations of Great Repentance ritual.
The next Lunar New Year will be Jan. 29, 2025
Commemoration of the Buddha’s Birthday
Friday, May 26th, 2023, was the 8th day of the 4th month on the traditional East Asian lunar calendar. This is the date for Vesakha-puja (in Korean, Bul-tan-il), the annual celebration of the birth of the Buddha. In South Korea, where this event is one of the biggest public holidays of the year, part of the celebration involves visiting a Buddhist temple to “bathe the Buddha” by pouring water over a statue representing the infant Buddha. Click here to watch a short video from the BZC YouTube channel.
The next Buddha’s Birthday celebration will be May 5, 2025
Ullumbana Service
Sunday, August 18th, 2024, was the Full Moon of the seventh lunar month, the traditional date for the commemoration of Ullambana. This annual ceremony honors loved ones who have died, especially during the last year, in a similar way to the traditions of All Souls’ Day or Dia de los Muertos. We create a special offering table, speak the names of those we are remembering, and pray for their well-being on their continuing karmic journeys. The liturgy includes elements commonly used in Korean Buddhist memorial and funerary services.