Buddha’s Birthday Weekend 2025
April 5 & 6
IN-PERSON* at Providence Zen Center
*Ceremonies broadcast on Zoom
Start the weekend with Coffee Hour with the Teachers at 9:00am on Saturday. Then, take part in the ceremonies: Buddha’s Birthday at 10:00am and a Precepts Ceremony at 3:00pm on Saturday.
Our School Zen Master, Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes) has released a new book, Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom. She will have book signings Saturday afternoon following the Precepts Ceremony at 4:30pm, and Saturday evening at 7:30pm, and Sunday morning following practice at 11:30am. Copies are available for purchase in the Providence Zen Center Gift Shop and on Amazon.
Come add your voice to our chanting at Evening Practice at 6:30pm on Saturday where we’ll be recording the Heart Sutra for use on our website! Help us make a special audio moment for all to hear.
There will also be a Conscious Dance (Main Dharma Hall) led by DJ Mystical Michael at 7:30pm on Saturday. Conscious Dance is a practice that emphasizes the mind-body connection, self-expression, and mindfulness. Unlike traditional dance forms with specific choreography or techniques, conscious dance encourages individuals to explore movement freely and authentically, in a non-judgmental and non-verbal space. No skills or training are necessary, except being present, listening to your body and letting go of the ego.
Sunday morning at 9:30am, the head temple of the Kwan Um School of Zen | Americas, the Providence Zen Center will host Sunday practice, with sitting, walking meditation, dharma talk, and questions answered by School Zen Master, Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes). Zen Master Soeng Hyang will have her final book signing of the weekend at the conclusion of practice, 11:30am Sunday.
Join us for Buddha’s Birthday on Saturday and Sunday April 5 and 6, 2025!
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 and Precepts Ceremonies will be broadcast on Zoom.
Sangha Weekend Ceremony Schedule (all times Eastern Time):
Saturday, April 5, 2025
10:00am: Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony
3:00pm: Precepts Ceremony (Precepts will be given IN-PERSON ONLY)
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:
Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony
Time: April 5, 2025 at 10:00am Eastern Time
Precepts Ceremony
Time: April 5, 2025 at 3:00pm Eastern Time
Schedule
— Saturday, April 5, 2025 —
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
12:00pm - 12:45pm: Pagoda Gift Shop OPEN
Pagoda Gift Shop
12:30pm: Trustees Meeting in 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)
4:30pm: “Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom” Book Signing by Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes)
Guest Lounge
5:00pm: Dinner
Dining Room
6:30pm: Evening Practice - Come add your voice to our chanting where we’ll be recording the Heart Sutra for use on our website! Help us make a special audio moment for all to hear.
Main Dharma Hall
7:30pm: “Composting Our Karma” Book Signing by Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes)
Guest Lounge
7:30pm: 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, April 6, 2025 —
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 Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes)
Main Dharma Hall
11:30am: “Composting Our Karma” Book Signing by Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes)
Guest Lounge
12:00pm: Lunch
Dining Room
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Pagoda Gift Shop OPEN
Pagoda Gift Shop