Annual Remembrance Ceremony 2026

 

This year the Annual Remembrance Ceremony took place Saturday evening, October 3rd.  The beautiful evening ceremony was surrounded by candles and took place both in front of the Temple and in the cemetery.  A small intimate occasion amidst golden evening leaves.

The Annual Remembrance Ceremony is a time to honor deceased loved ones, our spiritual lineage and those who are interred in the Shao Shan Temple Cemetery.

This ceremony also includes elements of the Japanese Obon Ceremony - a time to honor the ancestors and to invite them to be with us for a celebration.

Garden Work Day/Closing /Harvest Potluck 2026

 On a October 3rd, we gathered to for a garden work day, season-closing ceremony and a harvest potluck.  

We began with a Garden-Closing Ceremony - expressing gratitude for all that had made the garden possible and apologies to all beings harmed in the gardening process. 

The sun shone and golden leaves drifted through the air as many hands made light work of the big jobs of weeding, harvesting and redoing the garden fence.  Thirteen(!) huge garden posts were replaced.  Children helped measure the post hole depth by standing in the holes!  We filled buckets with the harvest of carrots,and beets and more.  

The work was followed by a delicious Harvest Potluck.

26th Anniversary Celebration/Ceremony!

 On Sunday, September 13th, we commemorated Shao Shan Temple's 26th Anniversary - 26 years since the Opening Ceremony in the year 2000.  

Prior to the Ceremony itself, there was the option of a time of meditation.

An important aspect of Anniversary Ceremonies now is honoring Shao Shan Temple's founding abbot - Taihaku Nishiren Diaosho - who created, envisioned and manifested this beautiful place of practice.  There was the option of offering incense for her during the Heart Sutra chanting

The Shao Shan Anniversary has for many years included tying ribbons with our intentions onto the gold pole in front of the Temple while chanting "Namu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo" and that tradition was continued this year.  

The celebration was followed with abundant refreshments and fiddle music!

September Introduction to Shao Shan Temple

 

Saturday morning, September 5th, amidst trees heavily laden with crabapples, was an in-person "Introduction to Shao Shan Temple" program.  Fifteen new people travelled from near and far to come together to learn about Shao Shan programs.  Julie joined as a sangha representative.  The Introduction program offers an overview of the Temple, history, programs offered, a short guided meditation, the opportunity to ask questions and a brief tour of the grounds.  

Nature Spirits Pilgrimage 2026

Amidst light mist, we gathered at Shao Shan Temple to acknowledge and pay respect to the greater nature that supports our practice.  This included a modified version of a ceremony done in Japan for blessings in gratitude to the protecting Spirits of the Land.

 All of nature joined in our ceremony as we were joined by little orange newts, hopping toads and the hooting of owls.  We offered flowers, incense and chanting at multiple sites on the Temple land acknowledging the myriad ways - known and unknown that they support our practice.  We sat in meditation on top of White Jewel Mountain and in the Temple.

The program was followed by a light lunch including vegetables fresh from the Temple Leafye Garden.