Mahayana Temple

Guan Yin Dharma Assembly · Lunar September 19 （City Campus）
2025-11-08 | Mahayana Temple, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States
Dates:

Lunar February 19 (March 18, 2025, Tuesday)
Lunar June 19 (July 13, 2025, Sunday)
Lunar September 19 (November 8, 2025, Saturday)

Location: Mahayana Temple City Campus
133 Canal Street, New York, NY 10002

Guan Yin Bodhisattva is one of the most revered figures in Chinese Buddhism. The three Guan Yin Dharma Assemblies each year commemorate the Bodhisattva’s birth, ordination, and enlightenment. These events symbolize the emergence of wisdom and compassion in the world, guiding sentient beings from ignorance to liberation.
The Origins of Guan Yin’s Three Holy Days
Lunar February 19: Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s Birthday
This marks the day when Guan Yin descended into the human world, symbolizing the Bodhisattva’s great compassion to aid all sentient beings. According to the Great Compassion Dharani Sutra, Guan Yin was already enlightened as a Buddha named “Righteous Dharma Bright Tathagata” in immeasurable eons past. Out of compassion, Guan Yin took the form of a Bodhisattva to guide beings to liberation. Many devotees observe this day by practicing vegetarianism and attending Dharma assemblies, a tradition known as “Guan Yin Fast.”
Lunar June 19: Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment Day
This day celebrates the Bodhisattva’s attainment of Buddhahood, becoming the “Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteshvara.” According to The Sutra of the Buddha’s Garland of Jewels (Bhadrakalpika Sutra), Guan Yin was once a prince named Bu Xun who renounced his royal life to cultivate the path of liberation. In Chinese folklore, the story of Princess Miao Shan, who sacrificed her hands and eyes to save her father, is also connected to this day. These tales remind devotees of Guan Yin’s boundless compassion and resolve to save all beings.
Lunar September 19: Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s Ordination Day
This day signifies Guan Yin’s renunciation and entry into monastic life, taking the first step on the Bodhisattva path to relieve sentient beings from suffering. The Bhadrakalpika Sutra records that Prince Bu Xun vowed before the Buddha of Jeweled Treasures to practice the Bodhisattva path and offer refuge to all beings.
The Significance of Participating in the Guan Yin Dharma Assembly
The Guan Yin Dharma Assembly is a time to honor the Bodhisattva’s virtues and align with her compassionate vows. Through chanting, offering lamps, and making prayers, devotees can connect with Guan Yin’s boundless wisdom and compassion. The assembly is an opportunity to pray for peace, prosperity, and the liberation of all beings.
For more information, please contact us at info@mahayana.us or visit our website.

Guan Yin Dharma Assembly · Lunar September 19 （Temple Retreat）
2025-11-08 | Mahayana Temple, 133 Canal Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States
Dates:

Lunar February 19 (March 18, 2025, Tuesday)
Lunar June 19 (July 13, 2025, Sunday)
Lunar September 19 (November 8, 2025, Saturday)

Location: Mahayana Temple Retreat
710 Ira Vail Rd, Leeds, NY 12451

Guan Yin Bodhisattva is one of the most revered figures in Chinese Buddhism. The three Guan Yin Dharma Assemblies each year commemorate the Bodhisattva’s birth, ordination, and enlightenment. These events symbolize the emergence of wisdom and compassion in the world, guiding sentient beings from ignorance to liberation.
The Origins of Guan Yin’s Three Holy Days
Lunar February 19: Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s Birthday
This marks the day when Guan Yin descended into the human world, symbolizing the Bodhisattva’s great compassion to aid all sentient beings. According to the Great Compassion Dharani Sutra, Guan Yin was already enlightened as a Buddha named “Righteous Dharma Bright Tathagata” in immeasurable eons past. Out of compassion, Guan Yin took the form of a Bodhisattva to guide beings to liberation. Many devotees observe this day by practicing vegetarianism and attending Dharma assemblies, a tradition known as “Guan Yin Fast.”
Lunar June 19: Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment Day
This day celebrates the Bodhisattva’s attainment of Buddhahood, becoming the “Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteshvara.” According to The Sutra of the Buddha’s Garland of Jewels (Bhadrakalpika Sutra), Guan Yin was once a prince named Bu Xun who renounced his royal life to cultivate the path of liberation. In Chinese folklore, the story of Princess Miao Shan, who sacrificed her hands and eyes to save her father, is also connected to this day. These tales remind devotees of Guan Yin’s boundless compassion and resolve to save all beings.
Lunar September 19: Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s Ordination Day
This day signifies Guan Yin’s renunciation and entry into monastic life, taking the first step on the Bodhisattva path to relieve sentient beings from suffering. The Bhadrakalpika Sutra records that Prince Bu Xun vowed before the Buddha of Jeweled Treasures to practice the Bodhisattva path and offer refuge to all beings.
The Significance of Participating in the Guan Yin Dharma Assembly
The Guan Yin Dharma Assembly is a time to honor the Bodhisattva’s virtues and align with her compassionate vows. Through chanting, offering lamps, and making prayers, devotees can connect with Guan Yin’s boundless wisdom and compassion. The assembly is an opportunity to pray for peace, prosperity, and the liberation of all beings.
For more information, please contact us at info@mahayana.us or visit our website.

Dongzhi Winter Solstice
2025-12-21 10:00 - 2025-12-22 15:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Dongzhi Ritual

Date: December 21 (Sunday) – December 22 (Monday), 2025
Location: Mahayana Temple City Campus
Address: 133 Canal Street, New York, NY 10002

Dongzhi is a traditional Chinese holiday occurring during the Winter Solstice to pay respects to deceased ancestors. The Mahayana Temple invites you to join us in our two-day Dongzhi ritual. Worshippers will gather with monastics to chant the Ksitigarbha Sutra and pray for their ancestors. As stated in Chapter 7 of the Ksitigarbha Sutra, reciting the sutra with a sincere heart of gratitude will generate seven parts of merit; one of these merit parts goes to the ancestor, and six go to the praying descendant. In addition to paying respects to the deceased, worshippers can also dedicate gratitude toward living loved ones through this ceremony.
