Zen Village to commemorate Buddha's birthday

Can you imagine blowing out 1000 birthday candles? Zen Village plans to do just that to celebrate the most important day in the Buddhist calendar, the Buddha's birthday. Spend the day in contemplation of the crown prince of Northern India's life and enlightenment with a special commemoration, Saturday, May 17, from 5 to 10 pm at Zen Village's courtyard.

Join in for an evening in the company of special guests including Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as representatives of different faiths for a night of chanting, singing, a live performance of Asian music with traditional instruments and dance, food, a prayer tree where you can write your wishes, fortune telling, Buddhist sangha prayer, and the unveiling of the Buddha. Among the main activities of the festival will be the "bathing Buddha" ritual where participants use fragrant water to bathe the image of the baby Buddha, thus cleansing away anger, greed, and ignorance, and focusing on pure (Buddha) nature. Attendees will also be able to prepare personal offerings to the Buddha, and receive a blessing from the monks and nuns.

Each country touched by Buddhism celebrates the birth of the Buddha according to its own traditional calendar. Buddha's birthday is the most significant day of the year for Buddhists, with celebrations for the birth, enlightenment and death of Sakyamuni Buddha, the Founder of Buddhism. The Buddha, a crown prince in Northern India, lived from 563BC to 483BC. His teachings still have an impact and continue to bring peace to the world.

Tickets for the Offering to the Buddha Birthday Celebration are: $35 per person and include dinner, entertainment, an offering to sangha, prayers, and a souvenir bag to commemorate this special occasion. 

Seniors and student tickets are $30, and free for children under 6. Your ticket also qualifies you for a raffle.