Ring in the New Year

Jizo Bodhisattva, protector of beings in transition.

Celebrate the New Year with meditation and tea. Sitting will begin at 8:00 p.m. and is open to everyone.

We will meditate and gather quietly, continuing until 10:00 p.m. The evening begins with a 30-minute period of meditation, followed by walking meditation for 10 minutes. This will be followed by another 30-minute period of Zazen/sitting meditation

7:45pm	Doors open
8:00pm	Zazen/meditation begins
8:30pm	Walking meditation
8:40pm	Zazen/meditation
9:00pm	Tea and refreshments
9:30pm	Zazen/meditation
9:45pm	Ringing the great bell 108 times begins
10:00pm	Closing Fire ceremony

Coming and going: You are welcome to come at anytime during the evening - you may stay for the entire evening, or just join one period of meditation to include in your end-of-year activities. 

The altar: You may want to bring something to place on the altar during the gathering - something you will take home at the end of the evening to keep with you during the coming year. 

Farewell to the Old Year: As we bid farewell to the old year and all its karma, we ceremonially burn paper representing the karma we leave behind in the old year.

New Year's Toast: Our final activity is a celebratory toast to the New Year and to all the possibilities it offers.

May everyone enjoy a peaceful New Year.