Buddha’s Birthday Sangha Weekend 2026
March 28th - 29th, 2026
IN-PERSON* at Providence Zen Center
*Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony & Precepts Ceremony to be broadcast on Zoom. There is no need register if you will be attending only over Zoom.
Join us for Buddha’s Birthday Sangha Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, March 28th - 29th, 2026!
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.
For those staying over from Friday night to Saturday, join us at a Sing-Along with Matthew Keeler JDPSN after practice at around 7:45pm on Friday, March 27th!
Buddha’s Birthday Weekend will officially begin with a Sangha Coffee Hour with the Teachers at 9:00am on Saturday. Then, take part in our ceremonies on Saturday: Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony at 10:00am and a Precepts Ceremony at 3:00pm.
There will also be a Conscious Dance (Main Dharma Room) led by DJ Mystical Michael around 7:15pm on Saturday after evening practice. Conscious dance encourages people to explore movement freely in a non-judgmental and non-verbal space. No skills necessary, just be present, listen to your body, and let go of your ego. All ages welcome!
On Sunday, March 29th, practice with the Providence Zen Center, the head temple of the Kwan Um School of Zen | Americas! Attend the Providence Zen Center’s Sunday morning practice, which will include sitting and walking meditation, as well as a dharma talk with questions answered by a Zen Teacher.
For those who wish to take the precepts: The deadline to apply to take precepts to become a Full Dharma Teacher is February 11th. The deadline to apply to take all other precepts is March 6th, 2026. Apply today!
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!
ZOOM INFORMATION
COMING SOON
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