Special Events at the Desert Zen Center
YEARLY EVENTS
May – June
Buddha’s Birthday
During the Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony in Spring, we chant and bathe a statue of the baby Buddha with sweet tea and flower petals. We encourage everyone to bring an instrument, a poem, a song, a joke (suitable for the occasion), and to entertain the sangha during our shared meal after service.
July – August
Vu Lan
This late Summer ceremony dates back to the time of the Buddha and was started to help one of his monks who had visions of his mother being tortured in hell. The ceremony was to help deliver her from hell. It has become a annual day to remember those who have passed away and it is also a time to recognize or remember your mother. You may submit any names of those who have passed away to the priests at the temple so they may be remembered during ceremony.
Desert Zen Center honors this day according to the Japanese Calendar, and will celebrate on late July – Early August, starting at 11:00 a.m. This will be the final ceremony and luncheon on the last day of our special Summer Teaching Sesshin.
November – December
Bodhi Day
Bodhi Day: Buddha’s Enlightenment Day – (Japanese: Rohatsu) On December 8th of each year (or on weekends before and/or after the 8th), Mahayana Buddhists commemorate the moment Gautama became the Buddha (Enlightened One). Ordination services are often conducted at this time because of its auspiciousness.
SESSHIN – SPRING AND WINTER TRAINING
April – June
Spring Training
A time for intense practice and cultivation – April through June. In the time of the Buddha, all monks and some laypeople came together periodically for training. FAQ
September – December
Winter Training
Our Rains Season: A time for intense practice and cultivation – September through December. During the time of the Buddha, all monks and some laypeople came together during the Rains Season in India, which is the middle of summer. As summer in the high desert is uncomfortably hot, we have shifted our Rains Season to Fall and early Winter. FAQ
Temple Work Day
Work Meditation – Samu
Temple Work Day starts at 9 am. to noonish (sometimes ending at about 3 p.m. if we’re on a roll), vegetarian lunch included. A concerted experience of a day of samu (work meditation) in community.
Note: Desert Zen Center schedules temple events on the second Saturday of every month. FAQ
Contact
- 10989 Buena Vista Rd, Lucerne Valley, CA 92356
- roshiangiao@outlook.com
- 760-985-4567
RSVP – Cabins Available
Summer & Winter Training
The Desert Zen Center doesn’t charge for retreats, however welcomes donations.
visit dzc
- 10989 Buena Vista Rd, Lucerne Valley, CA 92356
- roshiangiao@outlook.com
- 760-985-4567
Directions | Instructions