Uposatha Precepts Observance (Monthly)
The Buddha taught that the Uposatha day is for “the cleansing of the defiled mind,” resulting in inner calm and joy. On this day, both lay and ordained members of the sangha intensify their practice, deepen their knowledge and express communal commitment. At WLHZ the Sangha recites the Five Precepts together each month during the Sangha Practice Service.
108 Bows of Repentance (January)
In preparation for the new year we hold this bowing practice as a way to reorient minds and hearts and renew one’s commitment to the practice.
Lay Profession of Vows (Yearly)
A Three Refuge and Five Precepts Vows ceremony is held each summer for WLHZ students who are registered in the Lotus Root Training program and who have completed the 8-week Three Refuge and Five Precepts study course.
Buddha Birthday (Yearly)
Yearly festive celebration of the birth, life and mahaparinirvana of Great Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.
Celebration of Siddhartha Gautama’s Awakening (Yearly)
After having studied with ascetics, Siddhartha Gautama sat 49 days of meditation and at the age of 35, he is said to have attained Enlightenment, and became known as the Buddha or “Awakened One”. He realized complete insight into the Four Noble Truths, thereby attaining liberation from samsara, the endless cycle of rebirth, suffering and death.
Celebration of Kwanseumbosal (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva)
Honoring the Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Compassion who hears the cries of the world’s suffering.
A WLHZ devotional figure.
Celebration of Jijangbosal (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva)
Honoring the Earth Womb Bodhisattva protector of travelers, woman and children. Known for fearlessness in saving all suffering beings, for the guidance of all beings, and for the vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied.
A WLHZ devotional figure.
Celebration of Yaksayeorebul (Bhaisajyaguru Buddha)
Honoring the Buddha of Healing in Mahāyāna Buddhism. Commonly referred to as the “Medicine Buddha”, this Buddha is described as a doctor who cures dukkha (suffering) and karmic ills using various medicines of the profound and subtle dharma.
Celebration of Hwa Eom Gyeong (Flower Garland Sutra)
The Avataṃsaka Sūtra, rendered in English as Flower Garland Sutra, describes a cosmos of infinite realms upon realms, mutually containing one another. Teachings of the Bodhisattva path, the interpenetration of phenomena (dharmas), the visionary powers of meditation and the equality of things in emptiness.
Celebration of Mothers Queen Maya and MahaPrajapati (Yearly)
Honoring Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth mother, Queen Maya, and his step-mother and the first nun of the sangha, Maha Pajapati. Also a celebration of gratitude for all Mothers.
Celebration of Bodhidharma (First Zen Ancestor)
Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th or 6th century. He is traditionally credited as the transmitter of Chan (Zen) Buddhism to China, and regarded as its first Chinese patriarch.
Thanksgiving – Celebration of Lineage Ancestors/Teachers (Yearly)
Giving thanks for our lineage masters His Holiness Il Bung Kyung Bo Seo, Ph.D. (the first Korean Patriarch to the West / Il Bung Zen Order 일붕선정), His Holiness Thích Thiên Ân (the first Vietnamese Patriarch to the West / Lâm Tế Thiền Order), and Zen Master Seung Sahn (Linji Seon, Kwan Um School), their teachings and their lives.
Honoring the Departed – Yearly Memorial Service (Yearly)
This yearly memorial service is held to remember friends, relatives, ancestors who have passed from this physical world and to help liberate minds and hearts from karmic obstacles.
Celebration of White Lotus Haven Zen (Yearly)
Celebrating the anniversary of the WLHZ community’s founding.