April Garden Opening Ceremony & Work Day

 

This past Saturday was a Temple "Garden Opening Ceremony" to begin the garden growing season.  The ceremony included walking in procession around the garden chanting the "Marvelously Beneficial Disaster Preventing Dharani", ceremonially planting the first seeds, and chanting our "Garden Chant". We also read a Thich Nhat Hanh quote about being aware of what kinds of thoughts we "water" within ourselves - whether wholesome or unwholesome.

planting the first pea seeds

We worked pulling out last year's plants, tilling the soil and shaping the garden beds.

Garden altar foreground with many folks working

snacks were also available for work breaks!

Wow!  The Leafye Garden is transformed and ready for this year's season!  

Thank you to the many who helped! (just in time before another snow)

Monthly "Temple Day" programs continue!

 

Every first Friday is the possibility of participating in the flexible "Temple Day" program at Shao Shan.  "Temple Day" was designed to offer the opportunity to immerse in Temple life for the day.  The program begins with meditation followed by a chanting service.  After that is work practice - various indoor and outdoor tasks that are both helpful for Temple upkeep and also provide the opportunity to practice being present while active.  There is the option to stay for lunch - abundant with organically grown vegetables from the Temple vegetable garden.

This past Temple Day (4/3/2026) also included a brief ceremony of chanting while removing and burning last year's Anniversary ribbons.