Ullambana Festival Celebration & Blessing Ceremony

Ullambana Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar. It has been regarded as the Sangha Day, or the Buddha's joyful day. It is the day that the Sangha community has completed their summer practices and projects.

Ullambana is also the Ghost Festival. It is one of the most popular Buddhist festivals. On this day, it is believed that the "Gates of Hell" are opened and the dead souls visit their loved ones. During this festival, offerings are made to the spirits of the dead and to the hungry ghosts in order to bring good fortune and luck to people in the human realm.

Ullambana is a festival of liberation, which advocates and reinforces the concept of filial piety. The word ‘Ullambana' is a transliteration of the Sanskrit word meaning ‘deliverance from suffering', and specifically refers to the salvation that is granted to tormented souls in hell. On this day, Buddhists offer prayers both to their departed forefathers and to their living parents and elders.

We sincerely invite you to join us for the celebration and blessing ceremony, where we will perform and practice offering, sutra chanting, as well as Ullambana rituals. Let us all come together to pray together for the happiness and equanimity for people and for world peace!

May all living beings have true faith in the Buddhadharma, be happy and free from suffering.

May we all come together to promote great love.

May nations prosper and people live in peace.

May world peace prevail forever!

Ankele! Yekesuo! [Guru Heart Mantra]