More than 2600 years ago, on the eighth day of the fourth month, the great Buddha Sakyamuni was born in Kapilvastu while hundreds of flowers bloomed and the multitude of birds sang. After the prince was born, pure water showered from the skies, bathing his royal body.

Later, Buddhists celebrated the Buddha's birth every year on that day by holding Buddha-bathing ceremonies. Through bathing of the Buddha, we purify our body, speech, and mind, cleansing ourselves of greed, anger, and ignorance. By means of this merit, the period of the five evil corruptions are transformed into a pure-land; praying that all people in the world be healthy and joyous, society be peaceful and auspicious, and the world be in harmony.

Date & Time: Sunday, May 16, 2021; 10:30 AM ~ 12:00 PM

Origin: May 16th is the Anniversary of Fo Guang Shan headquarter, which is founded due to Venerable Master Hsing Yun's vow and aspiration. Thus, it's named "Fo Guang Day". Venerable Master Hsing Yun propagates Humanistic Buddhism, in hope that everyone can practice the "Three Acts of Goodness", the "Four Givings", the "Five Harmonies" and the "Six Paramitas" in life. He encourages everyone to have patience, to not forget one's initial mind and can be compassionate, which ultimately leads to awakening in oneself and others.

Event: Sutra Transcription by all Fo Guang members worldwide

Main Organizer: Fo Guang Shan Monastery | Co-organizer: Fo Guang Shan Northern California Branch Temple

Date: Sunday, May 16, 2021 @ 2:00 PM

Participants: Monastic and lay devotees, Fo Guang Children

Registration:

• Registration period: April 30 to May 9, 2021

• Online Google Form: https://forms.gle/Hp29MEESU55e6FRP6

Attire: Please wear your black haiqing robe and precept robe (if you have taken the precepts). If you haven't taken the precept and don't have a black haiqing robe, please wear a white shirt and your yellow BLIA vest.

Procedure:

1. Heart Sutra transcription: Chinese, English, Children's Edition, Virtual transcription, Heart Sutra doodling for the Chan Doodling Class Students

2. BLIA subchapter's president can pick up for their member or individual can come pick up the sutra from the temple near you.

3. Due to the pandemic, we would like to ask everyone to participate at home and please ask your family to take 2-3 pictures of you & family transcribing.

4. Please email your photos back to San Bao Temple (email: sanbao@ibps.org) on May 16 before 5:00 PM. We will no longer accept photos after this time.

Sutra Transcription Prayer: We pray that through sutra transcription, everyone would be healthy, have harmony within the family, smooth sailing in their career and peace in the world.

Contact Information:

San Bao Temple | Tel: (415) 776-6538 | E-mail: sanbao@ibps.org

American Buddhist Cultural Society, Fremont | Tel: (510) 818-0077 | E-mail: fremont@ibps.org

Fo Guang Temple (Oakland) | Tel: (510) 835-0791 | E-mail: oakland@ibps.org

Bodhi Temple (Sacramento) | Tel: (916) 689-4493 | E-mail: sacramento@ibps.org

Devotee’s Dharma Gathering is one of the most important events for Buddhist monasteries as it's time when devotees come to the temple to make offerings and pray. Fo Guang Shan has followed this tradition and dedicated Venerable Master Hsing Yun's renunciation date, Lunar February 1st , as the day to host the Dharma Gathering. It is a day where devotees can dedicate their time to learn, cultivate the Dharma, and most importantly, learn more about Venerable Master Hsing Yun's teaching.

Northern California Fo Guang Shan Temples will conduct a cultivation event on Saturday, March 13th (Lunar February 1st). We will follow how Venerable Master Hsing Yun prostrated to the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in seeking wisdom when he was young. As we prostrate to the “An Inspiration to Give Rise to the Bodhi Mind” verse, we shall vow to attain wisdom like Venerable Master Hsing Yun did and resolve to do more for all mankind. Please join us for this special cultivation event!

Date & Time: Saturday, March 13 @ 10 AM

Online liturgy's link: https://tinyurl.com/6f5rh3ww

YouTube link : https://youtu.be/KG5WqGBa870

Please share your participation's thoughts and pictures with us, and email them to sanbao@ibps.org

Northern California Fo Guang Shan Temples with joining palms