Programs, Links, & Schedule

for Buddha’s Birthday Weekend 2026

March 28th & 29th at Providence Zen Center

Give by card for Buddha’s Birthday:

Come to Providence Zen Center (or view live on Zoom) and celebrate the birth of the Buddha, and the continuation of Zen Master Seung Sahn’s teachings.

*Buddha’s Birthday, Precepts Ceremonies, and Sunday morning practice will be broadcast on Zoom.

Zoom Information:

Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony and Precepts Ceremony

Time: Saturday, March 28th at 10:00am and 3:00pm

Our COVID policy for the weekend is:

We ask that you self-test the day of your expected arrival at the event. If you are positive, PLEASE STAY HOME.
If you had contact with a COVID positive case in the last week before arrival, are sick, or are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, PLEASE STAY HOME.
Masks are your decision.
Thank you for your cooperation!

SCHEDULE

— Friday, March 27, 2026 —

6:30pm: Special Chanting

7:00pm: Evening Bell Chant, Heart Sutra (in English), Great Dharani, one 25-minute sitting period

~7:45pm: Sing-Along with Matthew Keeler JDPSN

— Saturday, March 28, 2026 —

5:00am: Wake-up bell

5:15am: Bows, chanting, one sitting period
Main Dharma Hall

7:00am: Breakfast for Friday night guests
Dining Room

9:00am: Sangha Coffee Hour with the Teachers
Dining Room

10:00am: Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony
Main Dharma Hall & Broadcast on Zoom

12:00pm: Lunch
Dining Room

12:30pm: Trustees Meeting (Trustees ONLY)
Conference Room & on Zoom

1:45pm: Robe Distribution for Full Dharma Teachers
Upstairs Dharma Room

2:00pm: Five Preceptees Meeting – For those taking five precepts, and those who want to learn more.
Peace Pagoda

2:00pm: Dharma Teacher-in-Training Welcome – All Dharma teachers and DTiTs invited to attend.
Upstairs Dharma Room

3:00pm: Precepts Ceremony
Main Dharma Hall (IN-PERSON ONLY, with Broadcast on Zoom)

5:00pm: Dinner
Dining Room

6:30pm: Evening Practice
Main Dharma Hall

~7:15pm: Conscious Dance with DJ Mystical Michael – No experience is needed, simply a desire to move and be present. Listen to your body and let go of your ego!
Main Dharma Hall

— Sunday, March 29, 2026 —

5:00am: Wake-up bell

5:15am: Bows, chanting, one sitting period
Main Dharma Hall

7:00am: Breakfast (for Saturday night guests)
Mingle with Sangha
Dining Room

9:00am - 11:30am: Sunday morning practice with the Providence Zen Center, head temple of the Kwan Um School of Zen | Americas, with a dharma talk and questions answered by a Zen Teacher
Main Dharma Hall

12:00pm: Lunch
Dining Room