“Buddha’s Birthday Celebration”: Zen Buddhist Temple.
May 18 & 19 (different programs). The most festive occasion of the Buddhist year.
May 18: Panel discussion on “Checking Out Buddhism” (3:30 p.m.), with Zen Buddhist Temple members Leila Matta, Ivan Mayerhoffer, and others TBA. 10th Annual Buddha’s Evening Celebration (6 p.m.) includes a buffet with vegetarian hors d’oeuvres, entrees, and dessert, followed by a program of music by the duo of Joe Reilly, a popular local singer-songwriter whose songs draw on blues, hip-hop, Native American, and other traditional American idioms and address ecological and spiritual themes, and Allison Radell, a singer-songwriter and pianist whose music draws on jazz, rock, and classical influences.
May 19: The program begins at 10 a.m. with a dharma talk by resident priest Haju Murray and the traditional “Bathing of Baby Buddha” with sweet tea. Also at 3 p.m., an “An Introduction to Meditation” and at 7:30 p.m., chanting and lighting of traditional lotus lanterns, along with scriptural readings by representatives from other area Buddhist groups.
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3:30-8:30 p.m. (May 18) & 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. (May 19), Zen Buddhist Temple, 1214 Packard at Wells. All events are free, except Evening Celebration (adults, $12; students, $6; small children, $5; families, $30). Tickets available in advance and at the door. 761-6520. [map]
