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Cheondo Jae (Ullambana 우란분재) Memorial Service
October 31, 2021 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Held at Trinita Retreat Center, 595 Town Hill Rd., New Hartford, CT
Uranbunjae (Kor. 우란분재, Chin. 盂蘭盆齋, lit. Ullambana purification) is a Buddhist ceremony in which food offerings are made in an effort to console and liberate the deceased from any suffering, especially those of one’s ancestors. The ceremony originates from the story of the disciple Mahāmaudgalyāyana who strives unsuccessfully to liberate his deceased mother from a lower realm of existence. The Buddha teaches liberation is only be possible through the collective intention of the sangha at large. In this yearly ceremony, we commemorate the Ullambana Sutra by making offerings and generating goodwill and liberating intentions for all.
In Korea the ceremony is held on the Buddhist All Soul’s Day, or Baekjung (Kor. 백중, Chin. 百中, the fifteenth of the seventh lunar month), and constitutes one of the important events of the day in order to console the souls of the dead. At White Lotus Haven Zen of Connecticut we hold this ceremony in the month of October.
If you would like the name of your dearly departed acknowledged in the service please contact us at contact@wlhz.org and include the names of your departed with your RSVP in the “message” section of the contact form. A symbolic nameplate burning rite, to eliminate unwholesome karmic conditions, will also be conducted.
A reception will be held after the service.