A Zen Buddhist Community in Shelburne, Vermont

Vermont Zen Center Ceremonies
  • Kannon Day Altar at the Vermont Zen Center

    Kannon Day • January

    Prostrations, chanting, and incense offerings to honor and express gratitude to the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
  • The Buddha's Parinirvana altar at the Vermont Zen Center

    Parinirvana • Mid-February

    All-day sitting or evening zazen which concludes with special chanting service with account of the Buddha’s Parinirvana.
  • Temple Night altar at the Vermont Zen Center

    Temple Nights • April

    Two evenings of unstructured devotional activities with beautifully adorned altars in the Buddha Hall.
  • Ceremony of Taking the Precepts—Jukai altar at the Vermont Zen Center

    Jukai • April & November

    Formal ceremony of entering the Buddha’s Way. Repentance Ceremony; chanting; taking of the Sixteen Precepts.
  • Roshi Kapleau Memorial Service altar at the Vermont Zen Center

    Roshi Kapleau Memorial • May

    Half-day Sunday sitting with special memorial service and a taped teisho from Roshi Kapleau's archives.
  • The Elephant at the Buddha's Birthday Celebration, Vermont Zen Center

    The Buddha’s Birthday • May

    Offerings of tea, flowers and presents; story of the Buddha’s birth; elephant parade; birthday cake; presents for children.
  • Water Baby Ceremony in the Jizo Garden at the Vermont Zen Center

    Water Baby Ceremony • August

    Ceremony for those lost in utero. Garments sewn and placed on Jizo figures; chanting service in Jizo garden.
  • World Peace Ceremony Vermont Zen Center—May Peace Prevail on Earth!

    World Peace Day • September

    All the countries and geographical areas are recited with the peace prayer, May Peace Prevail on Earth.
  • Bodhidharma Day altar at the Vermont Zen Center

    Bodhidharma Day • October

    Zazen or all-day sitting honoring the founder of Zen, Bodhidharma; special chanting service with offerings.
  • Hungry Ghost Ceremony altar at the Vermont Zen Center

    Hungry Ghost Ceremony • Oct

    Special Hungry Ghost Altar and ancestor altars; story of Hungry Ghosts; Hungry Ghost chant; trick-or-treating; party.
  • Oxfam Fast Ceremony Vermont Zen Center

    Oxfam Fast Day • Oct

    Ceremony with chanting, prostrations and circumambulation. Monetary and food donations for hunger relief.
  • Thanksgiving Ceremony Vermont Zen Center

    Thanksgiving Ceremony • Nov

    On the weekend before Thanksgiving. Beautiful ceremony of gratitude; offerings; chanting; circumambulation.
  • At the end of Rohatsu sesshin at the Vermont Zen Center

    Buddha’s Enlightenment • Dec 8

    Ceremony commemorating the Buddha's Enlightenment, often taking place during a 7-day sesshin.
  • New Year's Eve Vermont Zen Center

    New Year’s Ceremony • Dec 31

    Many elements including zazen, resolutions, repentance, temple purification, and taking of the precepts.
  • Wedding at the Vermont Zen Center

    Other Ceremonies & Services

    Ceremonies of Aid; Famine Relief Ceremonies; weddings, naming ceremonies, funerals and more.

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