GuanYin/Avalokisarva's Birthday Celebration
2024-03-28 | Mahayana Temple Retreat, 700 Ira Vail Road, Leeds, NY, 12451, United States
GuanYin/Avalokisarva’s Birthday Celebration: 03 / 28
On this day, it is the birthday of Guanyin Bodhisattva, who was born as a human being, becoming the third princess of the Xinglin Kingdom兴林国, Princess Miaoshan妙善. She had two older sisters; the eldest princess was named Miaojin妙金, and the second princess was named Miaoyin妙银 (or Miao Yin according to some sources), and the third princess was named Miaoshan妙善.

GuanYin/Avalokisarva's Birthday Celebration
2024-03-28 | Mahayana Temple City Campus, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States

GuanYin/Avalokisarva's Birthday Celebration
2024-03-28 | Original Temple, 64 Mott St, New York, 10013, United States

Qingming Memorial Services
2024-04-03 - 2024-04-04 | Mahayana Temple City Campus, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States
Qingming Memorial Services：04 / 03 – 04 / 04 / 2024
Qingming Memorial Services involve monks and lay Buddhists conducting rites to liberate ancestors and the deceased, and to pray for blessings for all people. The recitation of scriptures during these services is not only to repay the kindness of parents but also to express gratitude to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), teachers, and all sentient beings.

Qingming Memorial Services
2024-04-06 10:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Mahayana Temple Retreat, 700 Ira Vail Road, Leeds, NY, 12451, United States
Qingming Memorial Services：10am – 5:30pm 04 / 06
Qingming Memorial Services involve monks and lay Buddhists conducting rites to liberate ancestors and the deceased, and to pray for blessings for all people. The recitation of scriptures during these services is not only to repay the kindness of parents but also to express gratitude to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), teachers, and all sentient beings.

Three periods of mindfulness ceremony
2024-04-27 - 2024-04-28 | Mahayana Temple City Campus, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States
Three periods of mindfulness ceremony 三时系念祈福超度法会

Presiding Master：
Venerable Hui Cong 上慧下聪大和尚
Ceremony Schedule：
4/27/2024 Dharma Talk 10:00-11:30
4/28/2024 Ceremony 08:30-16:50
Ceremony Agenda：
08:30-09:00 Participant Registration
09:00-10:45 Three periods of mindfulness First Session (15-minute break)
11:00-12:00 Offerings to the Buddha
12:00-13:30 Lunch Break
13:30-14:45 Three periods of mindfulness Second Session (15-minute break)
15:00-16:50 Three periods of mindfulness Third Session Completion
Three periods of mindfulness ceremony:
The three periods of mindfulness ceremony is one of the best practices way in the Pure Land sect of Mahayana Buddhism. This practice was advocated by the Yuan Dynasty’s Zhongfeng Patriarch中峰国师. Its primary to encourage people to attain liberation through the Mahayana Buddhism Pure Land practice of Buddha-recitation. At the same time, it also follows the power of Amitabha Buddha’s vows to guide the deceased towards rebirth in the Western Paradise, to forever depart from the vast ocean of karma and the suffering of samsara.

Bathing of the Buddha Ceremony，The Vesak ceremony
2024-05-15 | Mahayana Temple Retreat, 700 Ira Vail Road, Leeds, NY, 12451, United States
Bathing of the Buddha Ceremony，The Vesak ceremony: 05/15
The Buddha Bathing Ceremony, also known as “Vesak,” is the most grandiose festival in Buddhism each year, as it marks the birthday of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. During this festival, we pour clean water over a Buddha statue, a ritual known as the Buddha Bathing. This act is believed to purify the body, speech, and mind. While holding the clean water for bathing the Buddha, one should sincerely pray and chant,
“As I now bathe the Tathagatas, with the accumulation of pure wisdom and merit,
may all beings of the Five Turbidities be freed from defilement, aspiring to the pure Dharma body of the Tathagata.
我今灌浴诸如来，净智庄严功德聚，
五浊眾生令离垢，愿证如来净法身”
This is a wish to remove the impurities of greed, hatred, and ignorance, maintaining purity in actions, speech, and thoughts. It’s a hope for a peaceful and clean society, free from violence, deceit, and evil, for a beautiful and pristine environment. Through the merits of bathing the Buddha, one seeks to purify personal afflictions and beautify our society and land, transforming the troubled world into a pure land and guiding misguided hearts towards kindness and enlightenment. This is the true meaning of the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.

Bathing of the Buddha Ceremony，The Vesak ceremony
2024-05-15 | Mahayana Temple City Campus, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States

Intro to Chan Buddhism
2024-05-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Mahayana Temple City Campus, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States
Welcome to the Intro to Chan (Zen) Buddhism event! Join us on Sat, May 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Mahayana Temple. This event will provide you with a beginner-friendly introduction to the principles and practices of Chan Buddhism. Learn about meditation, mindfulness, and the history of this ancient tradition. Whether you’re curious about Buddhism or looking to deepen your spiritual practice, this event is perfect for anyone interested in exploring Chan teachings. Come and discover the peace and wisdom that Chan Buddhism has to offer!

Ven. Rumu, also known as Ven. Rumu Huideng (如目慧燈), is the 43rd generation Dharma heir in the Linji (臨濟) lineage and the 49th generation Dharma heir in the Caodong (曹洞) lineage of Chan (Zen) Buddhism.
He has held various positions including dean of the Viriya Chan University (2013-14), and abbot of Taipei Beitou Puji Temple (2014-20).
Currently, he serves as the Chief Instructor of Taiwan’s Viriya Chan Monastery and was the Camp Director of the “Unveiling the Potential of Youth – Chan Meditation Camps” organised by Malaysia’s Buddha Sasana Foundation (2016-23).
Ven. Rumu’s areas of expertise include the Chan meditation practice of investigating the huatou(話頭, a key phrase/theme that practitioners use for self inquiry/investigation), stress management through Chan, Chan and mental health, and Chan tea culture.

GuanYin/Avalokisarva’s Nun Celebration
2024-07-24 | Mahayana Temple Retreat, 700 Ira Vail Road, Leeds, NY, 12451, United States
GuanYin/Avalokisarva’s Nun Celebration 07 / 24
Guanyin was once born as a princess named Miaoshan妙善, who was known for her compassion and wisdom. Miaoshan made a wish to become a nun and practice Buddhism, but her father, the King Miaozhuang妙庄王, was firmly opposed. Therefore, Miaoshan had no choice but to leave home secretly and go to a temple to practice. That makes the King become angry, the King burned down the temple, Miaoshan was injured but fortunately saved by a white tiger, and she continued to practice Buddhism in Fragrant Mountain.

GuanYin/Avalokisarva’s Nun Celebration
2024-07-24 | Mahayana Temple City Campus, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States

GuanYin/Avalokisarva’s Nun Celebration
2024-07-24 | Original Temple, 64 Mott St, New York, 10013, United States

Ullambana Assemblage
2024-08-17 - 2024-08-18 | Mahayana Temple City Campus, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States
Ullambana Assemblage 盂兰法会 08 / 17 – 08 / 18 / 2024
The fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month is Ullambana, one of the most significant days in Buddhism, especially in terms of transcendence and offering to monks. This is because Shakyamuni Buddha once explained to the venerable Maudgalyayana on this day how to rescue beings from the realm of hungry ghosts. The “Ullambana Sutra” recounts a story: Maudgalyayana’s mother, due to the force of her karma, was reborn in the realm of hungry ghosts. Maudgalyayana, seeing his mother suffering in hell, unable to eat, with her food turning to ash as it reached her mouth, urgently sought help from the Buddha. The Buddha said: “This is not something you can achieve alone. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you must hold a Dharma assembly and gather the monks to perform rituals; only then can you save your mother.” Hence, Maudgalyayana made offerings to the monks, and through such merit, his mother smoothly departed from the realm of hungry ghosts. From then on, the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month was designated as Ullambana, and Buddhists make offerings to monks during this month, dedicating them to the beings in the realm of hungry ghosts.

Emperor Liang Repentance Service
2024-09-01 - 2024-09-08 | Mahayana Temple Retreat, 700 Ira Vail Road, Leeds, NY, 12451, United States
Emperor Liang Repentance Service：09/ 01 – 09 / 08 / 2024
Mahayana Temple Retreat is going to hold a 7-day Emperor Liang Repentance service for devotees to pray for the country’s disaster relief and transferring merits to people for safety and auspiciousness, to grow wisdom and to help the deceased to be reborn into Pure Land. Please come and join this grand event. We offer transportation and accomodation during this service.
“Emperor Liang’s Repentance Service” (梁皇寶懺), originally named as “Dharma Hall of Compassion Repentance Ritual” (慈悲道場懺法), is a ritual of repentance, eliminating calamities, and delivering the deceased.
According to legend, the Emperor Liang instituted the ritual for delivering his deceased wife, Empress Chi, who was reborn as a python after her death. He invited eminent monks to hold Dharma assemblies to practice repentance rituals for her. With the powerful merits of this ritual, she was then reborn as a heavenly being.
The repentance chants have been passed down through generations thereafter as the most voluminous repentance text.
In fact, the Emperor Liang’s Repentance Services teaches that all beings can attain perfect enlightenment through the practice of sincere repentance, taking the three refuges, making aspirations and transferring merits.

Ksitigarbha （地藏王菩萨）Bodhisattva's Birthday Celebration
2024-09-02 | Mahayana Temple Retreat, 700 Ira Vail Road, Leeds, NY, 12451, United States
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s Birthday Celebration：09 / 02 / 2024

In the Tang Dynasty, there was a monk named Jin Qiaojue（金乔觉）, who was closely related to the Silla royal family. He had an extraordinary appearance, standing seven feet tall with immense strength. Drawn to a mountain shrouded in clouds, Jin Qiaojue traveled thousands of miles through difficult terrain, eventually settling in a valley.
In the early years of the Zhide era of the Tang Dynasty, Zhuge Jie, a distinguished person from Qingyang County, and others went up the mountain to enjoy the autumn. When they passed by a stone chamber on the eastern cliff, they saw an old monk, later known as Jin Qiaojue, meditating with his eyes closed, next to a tripod with one broken leg containing rice mixed with a large amount of white clay (Guanyin soil).
Shocked and ashamed by this sight, Zhuge Jie and his companions knelt down and wept, exclaiming, “It is our fault that the monk is enduring such hardship!”
They then rallied the local community to build a new Zen abode for Jin Qiaojue, called Huacheng Temple. After settling in Huacheng Temple, Jin Qiaojue began teaching extensively, attracting disciples and followers. The temple gained renown and became the founding temple of Jiuhua Mountain.
There’s a legend associated with this period, with many variations. Here’s one:
Jiuhua Mountain, once known as “Nine Sons Mountain,” was under the domain of a local lord named Min Gong. Jin Qiaojue requested a piece of land from Min Gong to establish a religious site.
Min Gong asked how much land was needed, to which Jin Qiaojue replied that he needed only as much as his kasaya could cover. Skeptical about the sufficiency of such a small area, Min Gong was astounded when Jin Qiaojue’s kasaya, thrown into the air, transformed into a red cloud enveloping all ninety-nine peaks of Jiuhua Mountain.
Elated, Min Gong dedicated the entire mountain to Jin Qiaojue, which later became one of the four great Buddhist mountains.
As the site expanded, devotees flocked for teachings. Jin Qiaojue taught during the day and meditated at dusk.
Legend has it that at night, sounds resembling those from hell were heard around Jiuhua Mountain, believed to be Jin Qiaojue visiting the underworld to liberate beings.
Because of his deep devotion to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, over time, people believed Jin Qiaojue to be a reincarnation of Ksitigarbha, calling him “Ksitigarbha in disguise,” or reverently as “Jin Ksitigarbha.”
Jin Qiaojue spent seventy-five years in ascetic practice on the mountain. On July 30th in his ninety-ninth year, he passed away peacefully.
His disciples placed him in a vat, and three years later, his body was found undecayed. Hence, July 30th was designated as the birthday of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Double Ninth Festival
2024-10-11 | Mahayana Temple Retreat, 700 Ira Vail Road, Leeds, NY, 12451, United States
Double Ninth Festival：10/11
Double Ninth Festival: The Double Ninth Festival has a unique significance in Buddhism. While it originated from traditional Chinese culture, it is also seen as an important day for spiritual practices and remembrance in Buddhism. On this day, Buddhists often engage in various activities such as chanting, scripture reading, making offerings to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and participating in charitable works.
In Buddhist tradition, the Double Ninth Festival is also a time to contemplate life’s impermanence, the realities of aging, and the sufferings faced by living beings. Through their practices and group religious activities, Buddhists aim to gain wisdom and find inner peace, while also cultivating a deep sense of compassion and understanding towards all forms of life.

GuanYin/Avalokisarva’s Enlightenment Celebration
2024-10-21 | Original Temple, 64 Mott St, New York, 10013, United States
GuanYin/Avalokisarva’s Enlightenment Celebration 12 / 20 – 12 / 21 / 2024
This is the day of Guanyin/Avalokiteshvara观音 Bodhisattva’s attainment of Buddhahood, Avalokiteshvara achieved ultimate enlightenment and entered the state of Anuttarā Samyaksaṃbodhi阿耨多罗三藐三菩提, becoming the Tathagata of Right Dharma Illumination, known as “Right Dharma Illumination Tathagata.正法明如来” Subsequently, he chose to return in the guise of a bodhisattva, driven by his vows to traverse the Sahā world娑婆世界 and universally save all sentient beings.
The Right Dharma Illumination Tathagata is a primordial Buddha among ancient Buddhas. His teachings and influence have been boundless and immeasurable, extending from time immemorial to the present across countless galaxies in the Dharma universe. He has cultivated innumerable Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas 菩萨摩诃萨 to achieve Buddhahood, serving as the teacher of Tathagatas in all directions.
“Right Dharma Illumination Tathagata,” in his mission to liberate sentient beings from the ocean of suffering, embarked on the path of cause while bearing the fruit, and reversed the journey on the compassionate ship. He became Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. On one hand, he manifested in billions of forms, liberating beings across all realms and paths. He appeared everywhere without limit, embodying the bodhisattva who responds to a thousand calls in a thousand places – the ultimate savior in countless lands.

Chan Buddhism from the Sixth Patriarch · Part 1
2024-11-30 13:30 - 15:00 | NY
Welcome to the “Chan Buddhism from the Sixth Patriarch” event!
Join us on Sat, Nov 30, 2024 at 1:30 PM at the Mahayana Temple.
This event will provide you with a beginner-friendly introduction to Chan Buddhism. Learn about the history of this ancient tradition. Whether you’re curious about Buddhism or looking to deepen your spiritual practice, this event is perfect for anyone interested in exploring Chan teachings. Come and discover the peace and wisdom that Chan Buddhism has to offer!

Venerable Rumu was born in 1980 and has grown up in a temple since childhood.
After high school, he studied at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist College and was ordained as a monk in 1999.
He graduated from the Buddhist college in 2004 and received full bhikkhu ordination the same year.
Ven. Rumu then entered the Buddhist Vimutti-Magga Institute, specializing in the studies of Mahayana ChanBuddhism’s Kanhua Can Chan under the tutelage of Chan Master Hui Men of Viriyachan Monastery. He has followed Master Hui Men to lead meditation retreats in the United States, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and China.
He has also been invited to give lectures on KanhuaCan Chan at various universities and temples, including Wuhan University’s School of Philosophy Studies, Tzu Chi University’s Institute of Religion and Humanities, Fo Guang University’s Department of Buddhist Studies, and several other temples in New Zealand, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
In 2013, Ven. Rumu received the Dharma transmission from Master Hui Men, becoming the 43rd generation Dharma heir in the Linji lineage and the 49th generation Dharma heir of the Caodong school of Chan Buddhism and holds the appointment of the Head Instructor Monk of the Viriyachan Monastery.
Ven. Rumu served as the Dean of the Viriya Chan University from 2013 to 2014. From 2014 to 2020, he served as the abbot of Taipei Puji Temple. Since 2016, he has also been the Director of the “Unveiling the Potential of Youth – Chan Meditation Camps” organized by Malaysia’s Buddha Sasana Foundation.

Chan Buddhism from the Sixth Patriarch · Part 2
2024-12-07 13:30 - 15:00 | NY
Welcome to the “Chan Buddhism from the Sixth Patriarch” event!
Join us on Sat, Dec 07, 2024, at 1:30 PM at the Mahayana Temple.
This event will provide you with a beginner-friendly introduction to Chan Buddhism. Learn about the history of this ancient tradition. Whether you’re curious about Buddhism or looking to deepen your spiritual practice, this event is perfect for anyone interested in exploring Chan teachings. Come and discover the peace and wisdom that Chan Buddhism has to offer!

Venerable Rumu was born in 1980 and has grown up in a temple since childhood.
After high school, he studied at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist College and was ordained as a monk in 1999.
He graduated from the Buddhist college in 2004 and received full bhikkhu ordination the same year.
Ven. Rumu then entered the Buddhist Vimutti-Magga Institute, specializing in the studies of Mahayana ChanBuddhism’s Kanhua Can Chan under the tutelage of Chan Master Hui Men of Viriyachan Monastery. He has followed Master Hui Men to lead meditation retreats in the United States, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and China.
He has also been invited to give lectures on KanhuaCan Chan at various universities and temples, including Wuhan University’s School of Philosophy Studies, Tzu Chi University’s Institute of Religion and Humanities, Fo Guang University’s Department of Buddhist Studies, and several other temples in New Zealand, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
In 2013, Ven. Rumu received the Dharma transmission from Master Hui Men, becoming the 43rd generation Dharma heir in the Linji lineage and the 49th generation Dharma heir of the Caodong school of Chan Buddhism and holds the appointment of the Head Instructor Monk of the Viriyachan Monastery.
Ven. Rumu served as the Dean of the Viriya Chan University from 2013 to 2014. From 2014 to 2020, he served as the abbot of Taipei Puji Temple. Since 2016, he has also been the Director of the “Unveiling the Potential of Youth – Chan Meditation Camps” organized by Malaysia’s Buddha Sasana Foundation.

Winter Solstice Memorial Services
2024-12-20 - 2024-12-21 | Mahayana Temple City Campus, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States
Winter Solstice Memorial Services：12 / 20 – 12 / 21 / 2024
Winter Solstice, being one of the twenty-four solar terms, has special significance for Chinese people. On this day, Mahayana Buddhist temples typically conduct ancestral worship ceremonies, and monks visit the ancestral hall to offer sacrifices to the great masters of past generations. At the same time, people also organize Winter Solstice universal benefit and ancestral liberation ceremonies to facilitate the devotees. These ceremonies aim to dedicate the merit towards all beings in the ten directions, across the four forms of birth and six realms, including both worshipped and unworshipped spirits and solitary ghosts. It is hoped that through the compassionate power of the Dharma, all beings can be universally liberated.

GuanYin/Avalokisarva’s Enlightenment Celebration
2024-12-20 - 2024-12-21 | Mahayana Temple Retreat, 700 Ira Vail Road, Leeds, NY, 12451, United States

GuanYin/Avalokisarva’s Enlightenment Celebration
2024-12-20 - 2024-12-21 | Mahayana Temple City Campus, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States

Chan Meditation Class
2024-12-28 10:00 - 2025-02-08 15:30 | Mahayana Temple, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States
Welcome to the “Chan Meditation Class”!
Join us every Saturday from December 28, 2024, to February 8, 2025, at the Mahayana Temple. The class is divided into two sessions to suit your level of practice:
Beginner Class: The Seven-Point Sitting Posture
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Advanced Class: Chan Meditation
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
These sessions provide a structured introduction to Chan Buddhism for beginners and a deeper exploration of its profound practices for advanced practitioners. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to deepen your spiritual journey, these classes offer the perfect opportunity to learn and grow. Come and discover the peace and wisdom that Chan Buddhism has to offer!

This Chan Meditation class is designed by Venerable Rumu. It is aimed to guide those of us who are busy chasing dreams in the big apple, to redirect our attention to the nature of ourselves, to clear affliction and delusion, and to eventually get in touch with the purest wisdom we are endowed with.Venerable Rumu was born in 1980 and has grown up in a temple since childhood.
After high school, he studied at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist College and was ordained as a monk in 1999.
He graduated from the Buddhist college in 2004 and received full bhikkhu ordination the same year.
Ven. Rumu then entered the Buddhist Vimutti-Magga Institute, specializing in the studies of Mahayana ChanBuddhism’s Kanhua Can Chan under the tutelage of Chan Master Hui Men of Viriyachan Monastery. He has followed Master Hui Men to lead meditation retreats in the United States, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and China.
He has also been invited to give lectures on KanhuaCan Chan at various universities and temples, including Wuhan University’s School of Philosophy Studies, Tzu Chi University’s Institute of Religion and Humanities, Fo Guang University’s Department of Buddhist Studies, and several other temples in New Zealand, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
In 2013, Ven. Rumu received the Dharma transmission from Master Hui Men, becoming the 43rd generation Dharma heir in the Linji lineage and the 49th generation Dharma heir of the Caodong school of Chan Buddhism and holds the appointment of the Head Instructor Monk of the Viriyachan Monastery.
Ven. Rumu served as the Dean of the Viriya Chan University from 2013 to 2014. From 2014 to 2020, he served as the abbot of Taipei Puji Temple. Since 2016, he has also been the Director of the “Unveiling the Potential of Youth – Chan Meditation Camps” organized by Malaysia’s Buddha Sasana Foundation.

Registration link：https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chan-meditation-class-tickets-1108582282449

Google LINK：https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DXKeAdSaOuAUyUwb8lsMfIZPq4U_7CaaQda6QNxhjXM/edit

Annual Laba Festival Celebration at Mahayana Temple 2025
2025-01-07 11:30 - 13:30 | NY
Annual Laba Festival Celebration at Mahayana Temple
Mahayana Temple warmly invites you to join us for the Annual Laba Festival Celebration, a cherished tradition that honors the Buddhist Festival of Enlightenment. This special event is a time for prayer, blessings, and the sharing of kindness and compassion.
We will prepare and distribute Laba Congee, a traditional and symbolic dish, to spread warmth, good fortune, and harmony to all who attend. Let us come together to pray for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of the community.
Event Details:

Date: January 7, 2025 (Lunar Calendar: 12th Month, 8th Day)
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Mahayana Temple (大乘寺)
133 Canal Street, New York, NY 10002

We look forward to welcoming you and your loved ones to this meaningful celebration. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the temple staff.
May this Laba Festival bring joy, peace, and blessings to you and your family!
Sincerely,
Contact Phone: 212-923-8787
Contact Email: pr@mahayana.us
Mahayana Temple
133 Canal Street
New York, NY 10002

Annual Laba Festival Celebration Registration Form QR Code

2025 Lunar New Year Celebration at Mahayana （Temple Retreat）
2025-01-28 11:00 - 2025-02-23 17:00 | NY
2025 Lunar New Year Celebration at Mahayana Temple
Mahayana Temple invites you to join us for the 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration. Through a series of sacred ceremonies, we will welcome the Year of the Snake with prayers, blessings, and Buddhist practices that inspire compassion, wisdom, and renewal. These ceremonies offer an opportunity to honor traditional Buddhist teachings, cultivate spiritual merit, and bring peace and prosperity into the New Year.
The New Year is a time to express gratitude, purify our hearts, and plant the seeds of kindness and harmony. We invite you and your loved ones to join us for the following events:
Event Schedule
Welcoming Wealth and Blessings Ceremony (接财神法会)

Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 (Lunar Calendar: 12th Month, 19th Day)
Time: 11:00 PM
Location: Temple Retreat (710 Ira Vail Rd., Leeds, NY 12451)
As we prepare to enter the New Year, this special ceremony invites wealth, blessings, and auspiciousness into our lives. By chanting and making offerings, we express gratitude to the Buddhas and pray for abundance and good fortune in the year ahead.

Repentance Chanting Ceremony (瑜伽焰口施食法会)

Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 (Lunar Calendar: 1st Month, 1st Day)
Location: Temple Retreat (710 Ira Vail Rd., Leeds, NY 12451)
This ceremony focuses on repentance and purification of past actions. It is a profound Buddhist practice that allows participants to reflect, let go of obstacles, and start the New Year with a clear and peaceful mind.

Amitabha Buddha Repentance Ceremony (华严宝忏法会)

Dates: Thursday, February 20, 2025 – Saturday, February 22, 2025
Lunar Calendar: 1st Month, 13th Day – 1st Month, 15th Day
Location: Temple Retreat (710 Ira Vail Rd., Leeds, NY 12451)
Over three days, this sacred ceremony honors Amitabha Buddha and the profound teachings of the Avatamsaka Sutra. Participants will chant, repent, and dedicate merit to all sentient beings, fostering spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Heavenly Offerings Ceremony (斋天法会)

Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025 (Lunar Calendar: 1st Month, 16th Day)
Location: Temple Retreat (710 Ira Vail Rd., Leeds, NY 12451)
The Heavenly Offerings Ceremony is a significant practice in the Buddhist tradition, expressing gratitude to heavenly beings for their protection and blessings. We cultivate harmony between the spiritual and earthly realms by offering food and prayers.

Live Stream Available: For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be broadcast live on YouTube.
Locations：
Temple Retreat
710 Ira Vail Rd., Leeds, NY 12451
Contact Phone: 518-622-3619
Join Us in Celebrating the Year of the Snake
These ceremonies are an opportunity to deepen your connection to the Dharma, bring peace and joy into your life, and dedicate prayers for the happiness and well-being of all sentient beings. We welcome everyone, whether you are a devout practitioner or seeking spiritual renewal, to participate in this meaningful celebration.
May the Buddha’s light shine upon you and your family, and may the Year of the Snake bring wisdom, harmony, and blessings!

Volunteer Application Link：https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1h-iuwFYtoV5lzXavRlz1dgcxgSiTqSRl_M2KF-Gc8fc/edit

Maitreya Buddha's Birthday Dharma Assembly.（City Campus）
2025-01-29 | NY
Maitreya Buddha’s Birthday Dharma Assembly

Date: January 29, 2025 (Wednesday)
Location: Mahayana Temple
133 Canal Street, New York, NY 10002

Join us as we celebrate Maitreya Buddha’s Birthday with a special Dharma Assembly. The day will feature chanting, teachings, and blessings to foster kindness and joy in our lives.
We warmly welcome everyone to participate in this auspicious event.
For more details, please contact us at info@mahayana.us or visit our website regularly for updates.
The Birthday of Maitreya Buddha Falls on the First Day of the Lunar New Year
Introduction to Maitreya Buddha
Maitreya, known as Maitreya in Sanskrit and Metteyya in Pali, is translated as “The Benevolent One.” In India, Maitreya Bodhisattva has long been venerated as a significant spiritual figure. Texts such as the Ekottarika Āgama (Chapter 45) and the Bhadrakalpika Sutra (Chapter 7) identify Maitreya as the first Buddha to appear in the future. Similarly, the Abhidharma Mahāvibhāṣa Śāstra (Chapter 27) also narrates the prophecy of Maitreya attaining Buddhahood.
According to The Biographies of Eminent Monks (法盛传), 480 years after the Buddha’s parinirvana, the Arhat Ānanda ascended to the Tusita Heaven, painted an image of Maitreya, and brought it to the northeastern region of Ucchaṅga (尤长国), where a large sandalwood statue of Maitreya was sculpted.
The Tradition of Maitreya Worship in China
The veneration of Maitreya in China began during the Northern and Southern Dynasties and gradually gained popularity. After the Tang Dynasty, due to the translation and spread of the Amitābha Sūtra, the aspiration for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Amitābha became increasingly widespread. Nevertheless, the devotion to Maitreya did not fade and continued to influence Chinese Buddhism into the modern era.
In Chinese Buddhism, Maitreya worship is divided into two main traditions:

The Upper Birth Tradition
This tradition venerates Maitreya Bodhisattva in his current form as a teacher in the Tusita Heaven, with practitioners aspiring to be reborn there.

Key Figures and Practices:

Dao’an: As recorded in the Biographies of Eminent Monks (Volume 5), the Qin ruler Fu Jian sent emissaries to Central Asia to bring back jeweled Maitreya images, which Dao’an displayed during his Dharma assemblies.
Dai Yong: According to the Jewel Forest of the Dharma Garden (Volume 16), Dai Yong of the Eastern Jin Dynasty built a Maitreya statue based on a dream and enshrined it in Longhua Monastery.
Fa Xiang: In 432 CE, during the Liu Song period, he constructed the Maitreya Monastery (Mile Jing She).

Other advocates include Daojiao, Sengye, Huiyan, Xuanzang, and Kuiji.

The Lower Birth Tradition
This tradition focuses on the prophecy of Maitreya descending to this world in the future, where he will preach the Dharma beneath the Dragon Flower Tree during the “Three Assemblies of the Dragon Flower.” Practitioners aspire to participate in these gatherings.

Notable Texts and Contributions:

The Vow of the Dragon Flower (龙华誓愿文), authored by Emperor Ming of Liu Song (465–471 CE).
The Record of the Dragon Flower Assembly (龙华会记) by Prince Wenxuan of Qi.
The Vow of the Dragon Flower by Master Hui Si of Nanyue.

Historical Accounts:

During the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian forged the Mahāmegha Sūtra, claiming to be Maitreya reborn.
In the Five Dynasties period, the monk Budai (布袋和尚) was considered an incarnation of Maitreya. Budai’s passing was marked by his famous verse:
“Maitreya, true Maitreya,
Manifesting countless forms;
Constantly revealing himself to people,
Yet they fail to recognize him.”

The Birthday of Maitreya Bodhisattva
In Chinese Buddhism, the first day of the Lunar New Year is celebrated as the birthday of Maitreya Bodhisattva. This tradition originates from the association of Budai’s birthday with this date, as he was believed to be an incarnation of Maitreya. Consequently, many monasteries hold Dharma assemblies on this day to honor Maitreya Bodhisattva, promoting the values of benevolence, compassion, and joy.

Maitreya Buddha's Birthday Dharma Assembly.（Temple Retreat）
2025-01-29 | NY
Maitreya Buddha’s Birthday Dharma Assembly. Temple Retreat

Date: January 29, 2025 (Wednesday)
Location: Mahayana Temple, 710 Ira Vail Rd, Leeds, NY 12451

Join us as we celebrate Maitreya Buddha’s Birthday with a special Dharma Assembly. The day will feature chanting, teachings, and blessings to foster kindness and joy in our lives.
We warmly welcome everyone to participate in this auspicious event.
For more details, please contact us at info@mahayana.us or visit our website regularly for updates.
The Birthday of Maitreya Buddha Falls on the First Day of the Lunar New Year
Introduction to Maitreya Buddha
Maitreya, known as Maitreya in Sanskrit and Metteyya in Pali, is translated as “The Benevolent One.” In India, Maitreya Bodhisattva has long been venerated as a significant spiritual figure. Texts such as the Ekottarika Āgama (Chapter 45) and the Bhadrakalpika Sutra (Chapter 7) identify Maitreya as the first Buddha to appear in the future. Similarly, the Abhidharma Mahāvibhāṣa Śāstra (Chapter 27) also narrates the prophecy of Maitreya attaining Buddhahood.
According to The Biographies of Eminent Monks (法盛传), 480 years after the Buddha’s parinirvana, the Arhat Ānanda ascended to the Tusita Heaven, painted an image of Maitreya, and brought it to the northeastern region of Ucchaṅga (尤长国), where a large sandalwood statue of Maitreya was sculpted.
The Tradition of Maitreya Worship in China
The veneration of Maitreya in China began during the Northern and Southern Dynasties and gradually gained popularity. After the Tang Dynasty, due to the translation and spread of the Amitābha Sūtra, the aspiration for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Amitābha became increasingly widespread. Nevertheless, the devotion to Maitreya did not fade and continued to influence Chinese Buddhism into the modern era.
In Chinese Buddhism, Maitreya worship is divided into two main traditions:

The Upper Birth Tradition
This tradition venerates Maitreya Bodhisattva in his current form as a teacher in the Tusita Heaven, with practitioners aspiring to be reborn there.

Key Figures and Practices:

Dao’an: As recorded in the Biographies of Eminent Monks (Volume 5), the Qin ruler Fu Jian sent emissaries to Central Asia to bring back jeweled Maitreya images, which Dao’an displayed during his Dharma assemblies.
Dai Yong: According to the Jewel Forest of the Dharma Garden (Volume 16), Dai Yong of the Eastern Jin Dynasty built a Maitreya statue based on a dream and enshrined it in Longhua Monastery.
Fa Xiang: In 432 CE, during the Liu Song period, he constructed the Maitreya Monastery (Mile Jing She).

Other advocates include Daojiao, Sengye, Huiyan, Xuanzang, and Kuiji.

The Lower Birth Tradition
This tradition focuses on the prophecy of Maitreya descending to this world in the future, where he will preach the Dharma beneath the Dragon Flower Tree during the “Three Assemblies of the Dragon Flower.” Practitioners aspire to participate in these gatherings.

Notable Texts and Contributions:

The Vow of the Dragon Flower (龙华誓愿文), authored by Emperor Ming of Liu Song (465–471 CE).
The Record of the Dragon Flower Assembly (龙华会记) by Prince Wenxuan of Qi.
The Vow of the Dragon Flower by Master Hui Si of Nanyue.

Historical Accounts:

During the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian forged the Mahāmegha Sūtra, claiming to be Maitreya reborn.
In the Five Dynasties period, the monk Budai (布袋和尚) was considered an incarnation of Maitreya. Budai’s passing was marked by his famous verse:
“Maitreya, true Maitreya,
Manifesting countless forms;
Constantly revealing himself to people,
Yet they fail to recognize him.”

The Birthday of Maitreya Bodhisattva
In Chinese Buddhism, the first day of the Lunar New Year is celebrated as the birthday of Maitreya Bodhisattva. This tradition originates from the association of Budai’s birthday with this date, as he was believed to be an incarnation of Maitreya. Consequently, many monasteries hold Dharma assemblies on this day to honor Maitreya Bodhisattva, promoting the values of benevolence, compassion, and joy.

2025 Lunar New Year Celebration at Mahayana Temple （City Campus）
2025-01-29 - 2025-02-12 | NY
2025 Lunar New Year Celebration at Mahayana Temple City Campus
Mahayana Temple City Campus (New York) welcomes you to celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year with us. Through traditional Buddhist ceremonies, we welcome the Year of the Snake, offering prayers for peace, prosperity, and blessings for all sentient beings. Join us as we chant, pray, and dedicate merit, spreading the Buddha’s wisdom and compassion to usher in a harmonious and auspicious new year.
Event Schedule

New Year Bell Ringing and Blessing Ceremony

Dates: January 29, 2025 – February 12, 2025 (Lunar Calendar: 1st Month, 1st Day to 15th Day)
During this 15-day period, we will hold daily prayer ceremonies to mark the Lunar New Year. The bell ringing symbolizes the dispersal of obstacles and negative karma, bringing in good fortune and blessings for the year ahead.

Universal Blessing Ceremony

Date: Friday, January 31, 2025 (Lunar Calendar: 1st Month, 3rd Day)
Join us for this profound Buddhist ceremony to pray for health, happiness, and prosperity for all beings. By participating in this prayer service, we dedicate our collective merit to peace in the world and harmony in the community.

Location
Mahayana Temple City Campus (下院)
133 Canal Street, New York, NY 10002
Contact Phone: 212-925-8787
Join Us in Welcoming the Year of the Snake
The Lunar New Year is a time of renewal, reflection, and gratitude. At Mahayana Temple City Campus, we embrace this season with sincerity and devotion, offering everyone an opportunity to connect with the Dharma, cultivate inner peace, and spread loving kindness.
May the Buddha’s blessings fill your life with wisdom, peace, and joy in the Year of the Snake!

Volunteer Application Link：https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1h-iuwFYtoV5lzXavRlz1dgcxgSiTqSRl_M2KF-Gc8fc/edit

Avatamsaka Repentance Ceremony（Temple Retreat）
2025-02-20 08:00 - 2025-02-22 17:00 | NY
Avatamsaka Repentance Ceremony
Date: February 20–22, 2025 (Thursday to Saturday, Lunar Calendar: 22nd–24th of the First Month)Location: Mahayana Temple Retreat710 Ira Vail Rd, Leeds, NY 12451
We sincerely invite you to participate in the Avatamsaka Repentance Ceremony, a profound practice of reciting and paying homage to the Avatamsaka Sutra. Through sincere repentance and devotion, we aim to purify karma, cultivate merit and wisdom, and dedicate blessings to all sentient beings for peace and harmony.
Join us in the serene and sacred space of Mahayana Temple to deepen your spiritual practice and experience the boundless wisdom of the Avatamsaka Sutra.
For more information, please email info@mahayana.us or visit our website.

The Origins and Supreme Merits of the Avatamsaka Repentance Ceremony
The Supreme Status of the Avatamsaka Sutra
The Avatamsaka Sutra (Sanskrit: Buddhāvataṃsaka Sūtra), fully titled The Great and Expansive Buddha Avatamsaka Sutra, is the first great Mahayana scripture expounded by Shakyamuni Buddha after attaining enlightenment in deep samadhi. Revered as the “King of Sutras,” it embodies the essence of the Tripitaka, systematically elucidating the origins of the universe, the true nature of sentient beings, and the ultimate realization of Buddhahood. Therefore, it is often said, “Without reading the Avatamsaka Sutra, one does not know the vast wealth of the Buddha’s teachings.”
On the night of his enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, Shakyamuni Buddha beheld the morning star and instantly awakened to the truth of all Dharma realms. In that very moment, he expounded the Avatamsaka Sutra, revealing a vast and boundless teaching. Like the rising sun illuminating all beings, this sutra guides great Bodhisattvas, Pratyekabuddhas, Sravakas, and all sentient beings toward ultimate liberation. Those who recite the Avatamsaka Sutra or sincerely participate in the Avatamsaka Repentance Ceremony will generate immeasurable merit, beyond all words and comparison.
Core Teachings of the Avatamsaka Sutra
The Avatamsaka Sutra primarily elucidates the interdependent arising of all phenomena, revealing the profound interconnection of the universe and all existences. Its key doctrines include:

Four Dharma Realms – The phenomenal realm (事法界), the noumenal realm (理法界), the non-obstruction of phenomena and noumenon (理事无碍法界), and the non-obstruction of all phenomena (事事无碍法界).
Six Aspects of Interpenetration – Totality, Particularity, Identity, Difference, Integration, and Disintegration (总相、别相、同相、异相、成相、坏相).
Ten Mysterious Gates – Illustrating the infinite, interwoven relationships of the Dharma realm, likened to the Indra’s Net of infinite interpenetration.

These teachings manifest the highest wisdom of Mahayana Buddhism, presenting an inconceivable, all-encompassing, and perfectly harmonious vision of reality.
The Three Holy Ones of the Avatamsaka Sutra
The most revered figures in the Avatamsaka Sutra are known as the Three Holy Ones of Avatamsaka:

Vairocana Buddha – The embodiment of the pure Dharmakaya (Ultimate Reality).
Manjushri Bodhisattva – The manifestation of supreme wisdom.
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva – The embodiment of universal vows and virtuous actions.

The well-known Chapter on the Practices and Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, found within the Avatamsaka Sutra, describes the Ten Great Vows, which encapsulate the essence of the Buddha’s 84,000 Dharma teachings. These vows serve as a guiding path for all practitioners, leading them from faith and understanding to practice and realization, ultimately attaining perfect enlightenment.
Five Supreme Merits of the Avatamsaka Repentance Ceremony
The Avatamsaka Repentance Ceremony is a profound practice based on the principles of the Avatamsaka Sutra. Sincerely participating in this ceremony can bring five great merits:

Eliminating the Five Heinous Karmic OffensesThe Avatamsaka Sutra states:“If one, with deep faith, upholds, recites, or even copies a single four-line verse of this great vow, they will swiftly eradicate the karma of the Five Heinous Offenses.”Even those who have committed the gravest of sins can purify their karma through sincere repentance, transforming misfortune into blessing.

Healing from Illness and Mental DistressBy faithfully upholding and reciting the Avatamsaka Sutra, whether by chanting, transcribing, or contemplating its teachings, one can alleviate physical ailments, mental suffering, and all forms of affliction, attaining peace and well-being.

Attaining Rebirth in the Realms of Virtue and WisdomThe sutra describes a vision drawn by Samantabhadra Bodhisattva:“Wherever such a person is reborn, they will be in noble lineages, free from evil realms, distanced from negative influences, victorious over non-Buddhist teachings, and completely liberated from afflictions. Like a lion among beasts, they will be honored and revered by all beings.”Those who devotedly recite the Avatamsaka Sutra will escape all suffering, transcend all negative karma, and attain rebirth in virtuous realms.

Subduing Evil Forces and Receiving the Protection of the BuddhasThe merit of practicing the Avatamsaka Repentance Ceremony causes malevolent spirits to recede and even transform, inspiring them to take refuge in the Dharma and offer their protection to sincere practitioners.

Fulfilling Aspirations and Attaining Prosperity in All EndeavorsThose who uphold the Avatamsaka Sutra are praised and safeguarded by all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout time and space. Their careers, families, and spiritual practice will be harmonious and successful, and their aspirations will be fulfilled.

The Place of the Avatamsaka Sutra in the Buddha’s Lifetime Teachings
After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha spent twenty-one days expounding the Avatamsaka Sutra, known as the “Three Weeks of Avatamsaka”, radiating the vast and profound teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. Following this, he gradually adapted his teachings to the capacities of different beings:

Twelve Years of the Agama Period – Establishing the foundation of Buddhism and teaching the early disciples.
Eight Years of the Vaipulya Period – Transitioning from Hinayana to Mahayana teachings.
Twenty-Two Years of the Prajna Period – Expounding the wisdom of emptiness, clarifying the distinction between Buddhist and non-Buddhist doctrines.
Eight Years of the Lotus-Nirvana Period – Concluding with the doctrine of One Vehicle (Ekayana), declaring that all sentient beings possess Buddha-nature and can attain Buddhahood.

The Avatamsaka Sutra encapsulates the original enlightenment experience of the Buddha, a truth later affirmed by the Lotus Sutra and the Nirvana Sutra. These three scriptures, widely transmitted in Chinese Buddhism, have had the greatest impact on Buddhist philosophy and practice, as they directly unveil the ultimate reality of the Buddha’s teachings.

Heaven Worship Dharma Assembly （Temple Retreat）
2025-02-23 | NY
Heaven Worship Dharma Assembly

Date: February 23, 2025 (Wednesday, Lunar New Year’s 15th Day)
Location: Mahayana Temple Retreat
710 Ira Vail Rd, Leeds, NY 12451

Offering to the Heavens (斋天): Origin and Significance
The practice of Offering to the Heavens (斋天), also known as Supplying to the Heavens (供天), originated during the Sui Dynasty. It was established by Master Zhiyi of the Tiantai School based on the Golden Light Sutra (Suvarṇaprabhāsa-sūtra), from which the Golden Light Repentance Rite was compiled.
In modern temples, the ceremonial complexity of Offering to the Heavens varies, leading to distinctions between Major Offering and Minor Offering. The Minor Offering (小斋天), known for its simplicity, follows the “Golden Light Sutra Offering Ritual” (金光明经斋天科仪), while the Major Offering (大斋天) is based on the “Mount Hua Offering Ritual” (华山斋天科仪), characterized by elaborate and solemn procedures. The Major Offering features grand ceremonies, dignified altars, melodious chanting, and elegant rhythms. It adheres to the rigorous inner rituals of the Water-Land Dharma Assembly, but the spiritual significance of both forms remains identical.
Scriptural Background and Spiritual Significance
In the Lotus Sutra (Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra), the Skillful Means Chapter states:
“The wisdom I have attained is profound and unsurpassed, yet sentient beings are dull in faculties, attached to worldly pleasures, and blinded by ignorance. How can such beings be liberated?”
Sentient beings are often deeply attached to the pleasures of the five senses, making it difficult for them to awaken to the truths of the Dharma. As a result, the Buddha contemplated entering Nirvana. Recognizing this, the great celestial kings, including Mahābrahmā and Śakra, approached the Buddha with reverence, hands joined in supplication, and requested him to remain in the world to turn the Dharma wheel.
Reflecting on the skillful means used by past Buddhas, the Buddha resolved:
“The path I have attained should also be taught through the Three Vehicles.”
He thus consented and first preached in the Deer Park of Varanasi, then traveled to various places, enlightening many sentient beings.
The Golden Light Sutra recounts that during the “Golden Light Assembly,” celestial beings made bodhicitta vows before the Buddha. They pledged to protect Buddhism, uphold the Dharma, cultivate good deeds, and refrain from evil actions. The Buddha instructed these celestial beings to traverse the human world with compassion, aiding virtuous individuals and supporting practitioners in their journey toward Buddhahood. Consequently, these celestial beings are also known as Dharma Protectors (护法诸天).
The Practice and Merit of Offering to the Heavens
Anyone who sincerely pays homage to and makes offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, recites the Golden Light Sutra, and follows its rituals with fragrant flowers and fine offerings scattered in all directions will receive the blessings of the Dharma-protecting deities, fulfilling their virtuous aspirations.
The celestial beings themselves emphasize that the Golden Light Sutra is a supreme ambrosial Dharma for them. Hearing its teachings not only enhances their vitality but also strengthens their supernatural powers. Reciting the Emptiness Chapter (空品) of the sutra during the Offering to the Heavens is considered the most sublime offering to the celestial beings.
The Deeper Meaning of Offering to the Heavens
Offering to the Heavens is not merely a folk practice of worshiping the Heavenly Emperor; it is a profound act of supporting and practicing the Dharma. It expresses gratitude for the protection of the celestial beings while praying for their descent to receive the offerings. Through these acts, practitioners aspire for the flourishing of the Dharma, ensuring that the Three Jewels—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—continue to serve as guiding lights for all sentient beings in the darkness of ignorance.
By honoring the celestial beings, making offerings with sincerity, and venerating the Three Jewels, practitioners pray for peace, harmony, and prosperity in the world. May the blessings of the celestial beings inspire all sentient beings to awaken bodhicitta and ultimately attain Buddhahood.
We invite you to join the sacred Heaven Worship Dharma Assembly to pray for blessings in the new year, including increased wisdom and compassion, family harmony, and career success, while sowing the seeds of merit for all sentient beings.
Come and experience the profound blessings of this ceremony in the serene surroundings of the Mahayana Temple Retreat.
For more information, please contact us at pr@mahayana.us or visit our website.
