Chinese Zen began with Bodhidharma, was passed down from master to master until the Sixth Patriarch Hui–Neng, who then transmitted the dharma in southern China. He explained the Mind, revealed the true essence, and uncovered the priority of sudden enlightenment and direct achievement — spreading the Buddha’s most important Mind principles. He spent his whole life teaching countless disciples, each changing a region, which eventually resulted in the Five Schools and Seven Sects of Zen Buddhism. Today the dharma river of Hui–Neng is not only blossoming and bearing fruit in China and Asia, it is being propagated all over the world – universally soothing the restless agitations of practitioners’ thoughts, and guiding them to enlighten to their original Minds. In addition, the ideology of Zen has become a significant part of Chinese culture and has given rise to far–reaching and indelible influences on Eastern and Western philosophy, arts, academic learning and thinking. Hence, the Sixth Patriarch, along with Confucius and Lao–Tzu, have been jointly named, “The Three Great Saints of the East.” The Sixth Patriarch also enjoys the majestic status of having been classified by Europe’s academic world as one of the “World’s Top Ten Thinkers.”
This year is the thirteen hundred and eleventh anniversary of the parinirvana of the Sixth Patriarch of Zen. In recalling fondly his dedication to all living beings and his vow to propagate the dharma to benefit all life, this monastery will conduct, with sincere gratefulness, a Commemoration Ceremony on The Thirteen Hundred and eleventh Anniversary Of The Parinirvana Of Da–Jian Master, The Sixth Patriarch Of Zen. The ceremony will take place on September 1st, 2024 (Sunday) at 9:30am. During the ceremony, Venerable Master Miao Tsan, the abbot of Vairocana Zen Monastery, will lead all participants in the chanting of the Sixth Patriarch’s Dharma Jewel Platform Sutra, as well as conduct offerings to the Buddha for the monastic community.
May all practitioners and donors participate partake in the joy of the sublime dharma, and dedicate all merits toward world peace, the prosperity and harmony of all nations and citizens, and the elimination of disasters. May all dharma supporters and donors enjoy auspiciousness at all times, with ever–increasing merit and wisdom, leading to the ultimate attainment of Bodhi.
In the Dharma,
Vairocana Zen Monastery
毗盧禪寺 Vairocana Zen Monastery
13735 Yockey St., Garden Grove, CA 92844
Tel：714–8943658
Website：www.vzmla.org
Contact：[email protected]