On Sunday April 12th, in place of our regular Sunday program, we will celebrate Vesak, the Buddha’s birthday at White Heron Sangha. In Buddhism, Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha, and is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. It is celebrated worldwide through the months of April, May, and June. Below are a few photos from Buddha's birthday celebration in 2024.
We are fortunate to be invited to join SLO Zen Circle once again this year in working together to make this celebration of Buddha’s birth a meaningful one for adults and children alike. We will begin at 4pm with a service led by Roshi Shogen that includes many participants from both SLO Zen Circle and White Heron Sangha. Children and families are warmly invited to this celebration consisting of washing baby Buddha, chanting, and offering flowers and incense under a beautifully decorated arbor.
The ceremony will be followed by a potluck meal at 5pm. Please feel free to bring a vegetarian salad, soup, bread, or dessert that you wish to share. WHS will provide napkins, water, and tea. It will also help us with clean up if you bring your own place setting. Please write the ingredients of your dishes on a small card (like an index card) so those who are food sensitive will know what to expect. We will provide cards and pens for those who might forget to do so.
In gratitude for all that we have, we will also be taking a collection of canned and dried goods to share with our neighbors who are less fortunate.
If you are able to volunteer to help setting up for the meal or for decorating the arbor, please contact Kat Tuculet or Linda Elder.