Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the First Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
The First Day of the First Lunar Month
【The Birthday of Bodhisattva Maitreya】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: To celebrate the birthday of Maitreya Buddha, a symbol of compassion and hope, the temple holds a Buddha-recitation ceremony, during which devotees recite the Buddha’s name to pray for a bright future.
②
The Fifteenth Day of the First Lunar Month
【Lantern Festival】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Recitation of the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
The Meaning of the Festival: While the lights outside are beautiful, we should focus even more on awakening our inner awareness and facing life with compassion and wisdom.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the Second Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
The first day of the second lunar month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Holiday: The first day of each lunar month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism and is a special day for observing fasting and chanting the Buddha’s name.
②
The eighth day of the second lunar month
【The Day Shakyamuni Buddha Renounced the Worldly Life】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: This festival commemorates the Buddha’s renunciation of his royal throne to become a monk and embark on the path of seeking truth. Temples hold chanting ceremonies to encourage believers to practice diligently.
③
The fifteenth day of the second lunar month
【The Day of Shakyamuni Buddha's Nirvana】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: It symbolizes the perfection of the Dharma, and believers recite the Buddha’s name to honor his memory.
④
The thirteenth through the nineteenth day of the second lunar month
【Bodhisattva Guanyin’s Birthday and Seven-Day Buddhist Retreat】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: To celebrate the birthday of Guanyin Bodhisattva, renowned throughout the world for her great compassion and mercy, the temple holds a Buddha-recitation ceremony to pray for the early awakening of wisdom and the early attainment of enlightenment.
⑤
The twenty-first day of the second lunar month
【The Birthday of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: This festival commemorates the birth of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, who embodies the “Great Vows of Action.” We should follow Bodhisattva Samantabhadra’s example, diligently recite the Buddha’s name, and strive to attain enlightenment in this very lifetime.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the Third Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
First day of the third month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Holiday: The first day of each lunar month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism and is a special day for observing fasting and chanting the Buddha’s name.
②
Fifteenth day of the third month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: The fifteenth day of each month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism. On this day, believers observe a vegetarian fast and chant the Buddha’s name to accumulate merit.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the Fourth Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
First day of the fourth month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Holiday: The first day of each lunar month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism and is a special day for observing fasting and chanting the Buddha’s name.
②
Fourth day of the fourth month
【The Birthday of Manjusri Bodhisattva】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: This festival commemorates the birthday of Manjusri Bodhisattva, who symbolizes wisdom. Devotees chant the Buddha’s name and pray for the early awakening of wisdom, and families with students often pray on this day for academic progress.
③
From the second day to the eighth day of the fourth month
【Buddha Shakyamuni’s Birthday, Seven-Day Buddhist Retreat】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: Reciting the Buddha’s name to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday and express gratitude for the compassion and teachings he brought to the world.
④
Fifteenth day of the fourth month
【Auspicious Day of the Buddha】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: To commemorate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana; on this day, believers observe a vegetarian fast and chant the Buddha’s name to accumulate merit.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the Fifth Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
First day of the fifth month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Holiday: The first day of each lunar month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism and is a special day for observing fasting and chanting the Buddha’s name.
②
Thirteenth day of the fifth month
【The Birthday of Bodhisattva Kālanātha】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: Celebrating the birthday of Bodhisattva Kālan, the Buddhist guardian deity, and reciting the Buddha’s name to pray for the enduring presence of the True Dharma.
③
Fifteenth day of the fifth month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: The fifteenth day of each month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism; on this day, believers observe a vegetarian fast and chant the Buddha’s name to accumulate merit.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the Sixth Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
First day of the sixth month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Holiday: The first day of each lunar month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism and is a special day for observing fasting and chanting the Buddha’s name.
②
Third day of the sixth month
【The Birthday of Bodhisattva Vajrapani】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: This festival commemorates the birthday of Bodhisattva Vajrapani, a Buddhist guardian deity, and emphasizes the protection of the true Dharma and the dispelling of demonic obstacles.
③
Thirteenth to nineteenth day of the sixth month
【Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment Day, Seven-Day Buddhist Retreat】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: To commemorate Bodhisattva Guanyin’s attainment of enlightenment, temples hold Buddhist chanting ceremonies to pray that we may follow Bodhisattva Guanyin’s example, chant the Buddha’s name to attain enlightenment, and save all sentient beings.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the Seventh Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
First day of the seventh month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Holiday: The first day of each lunar month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism and is a special day for observing fasting and chanting the Buddha’s name.
②
Thirteenth day of the seventh month
【The Birthday of Bodhisattva Mahāsthāmaprāpta】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: We celebrate the birthday of Bodhisattva Mahāsthāmaprāpta, who symbolizes the light of wisdom. On this day, it is especially auspicious to recite the Buddha’s name and pray for wisdom and happiness.
③
Fifteenth day of the seventh month
【Ullambana Festival】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: Derived from the story of Mulian rescuing his mother, this festival is held to perform rituals for the salvation of parents from the past seven generations and ancestors throughout the ages; Buddhist temples hold chanting ceremonies in observance.
④
Twenty-third to twenty-ninth day of the seventh month
【Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha’s Birthday, Seven-Day Buddhist Retreat】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: The birthday of Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha is renowned for the vow, “Until hell is emptied, I vow not to attain Buddhahood.” Devotees recite the Buddha’s name to commemorate the Bodhisattva.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the Eighth Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
First day of the eighth month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Holiday: The first day of each lunar month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism and is a special day for observing fasting and chanting the Buddha’s name.
②
Fifteenth day of the eighth month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Recitation of the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: The fifteenth day of each lunar month is the Mid-Autumn Festival. On this day, devotees observe a vegetarian fast and chant the Buddha’s name to accumulate merit.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the Ninth Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
First day of the ninth month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Recitation of the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
14:00–16:00 Uhr Das Singen des Namens Buddhas
②
Fifteenth day of the ninth month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: The fifteenth day of each month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism; on this day, believers observe a vegetarian fast and chant the Buddha’s name to accumulate merit.
③
Thirtieth day of the ninth month
【Buddha of Medicine's Birthday】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: Celebrating the birthday of the Medicine Buddha, who is revered for dispelling misfortune and prolonging life; devotees chant the Buddha’s name to pray for health, peace, and wisdom.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the Tenth Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
First day of the tenth month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Holiday: The first day of each lunar month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism, a special day dedicated to fasting and chanting the Buddha’s name.。
②
Fifteenth day of the tenth month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: The fifteenth day of each month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism; on this day, believers observe a vegetarian fast and chant the Buddha’s name to accumulate merit.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the 11th Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
The first day of the eleventh lunar month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Holiday: The first day of each lunar month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism and is a special day for observing fasting and chanting the Buddha’s name.
②
The eleventh through the seventeenth day of the eleventh lunar month
【Namo Amitabha Buddha's Birthday】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Recitation of the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: This day marks the birthday of Amitabha Buddha, the ruler of the Western Pure Land. Believers diligently recite the Buddha’s name to pray for the awakening of wisdom and rebirth in the Pure Land, symbolizing the perfection and completeness of compassion and wisdom.
Buddha-Recitation Schedule for the Twelfth Lunar Month of the Year of the Horse
①
The first day of the twelfth lunar month
【A Special Day】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Recitation of the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Holiday: The first day of each lunar month is one of the Ten Days of Fasting in Buddhism and is a special day for observing fasting and chanting the Buddha’s name.
②
The second through the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month
【The Day of Shakyamuni Buddha's Enlightenment】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Recitation of the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: By chanting the Buddha’s name, we commemorate the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Temples prepare Laba congee and distribute it widely to the faithful, embodying the spirit of gratitude, equal giving, and the universal salvation of all sentient beings.
③
The ninth through the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month
【[Winter Solstice] Seven-Day Buddhist Retreat】
8:30–11:00 a.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
2:00–4:00 p.m. Chanting the Buddha’s Name
Significance of the Festival: On the Winter Solstice—a special moment marking the transition between yin and yang and the initial emergence of yang energy—recite the sacred name “Namo Amitabha Buddha.” Through the blessings of the Buddha’s power, purify the mind, eliminate karmic obstacles, and vow to attain enlightenment in this very lifetime as a living Buddha, thereby widely saving all sentient beings with whom you share a karmic connection.
