Dharma Assembly Schedule
Saturday, August 29, 2026, 09:30 AM–08:00 PM
Activity Address
150 North Rivermede Road, Vaughan, Ontario, L4K 5B1
Ullambana Festival: Relief from Suffering
The term "Ullambana" originates from the Buddhist scripture story of Maudgalyayana saving his mother. The original Sanskrit meaning is "to save from being hung upside down," intending to rescue sentient beings from the extreme suffering, like being hung upside down, in the three evil paths and six realms of existence. Therefore, temples in various regions, following the teachings of the Ullambana Sutra, hold the "Ullambana Gratitude Dharma Assembly" on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month each year. The aim is to free sentient beings from their inverted suffering, widely offer alms to monks, and perform filial piety through memorial services for ancestors.
The Sangha's diligence brings great joy to the Buddha.
This day is also called "Buddha's Rejoicing Day" or "Sangha's Self-Restraint Day," originating from the time of the Buddha. Every year, during the rainy season from April 15th to July 15th, monks would not go out for alms. Instead, they would "retreat for the rainy season" in the mountains and forests to focus on their practice. After three months of diligent effort, the monks would "conclude their rainy season retreat" on July 15th and report their修行 insights to the Buddha, with many achieving enlightenment. Seeing their disciples' progress in the Dharma, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas felt deeply pleased and joyful. At this time, devotees would widely offer "rainy season alms" to the Sangha, cultivating immeasurable blessings.
Recite Sutras to Repay Kindness and Achieve Buddhahood Together
Everyday, the Venerable Elder Monk compassionately expounded: Through chanting sutras, devotees can dedicate merit to their deceased relatives and friends for their liberation, and pray for blessings for their living family members, benefiting themselves and others. Every mantra and every ritual in the Dharma assembly is meant to awaken the compassion within our hearts, and to learn the great courageous and diligent spirit of Bodhisattvas in alleviating the suffering of sentient beings, with a sense of "who else but I?". We sincerely wish for the masses to generate great compassionate vows and joyfully make offerings, using this seed of Bodhicitta to collectively accomplish the perfect path of ultimate self-benefit and benefiting others.
Ullambana Festival Dharma Assembly
| Time | Activity |
| 10:00AM–11:30AM |
Traditional Offering, Chanting of the Ullambana Sutra, Grand Offering to the Buddhas
|
| 1:30PM–4:30PM |
Chanting of the Ksitigarbha Sutra |
| 5:30PM–8:00PM |
Great Mengshan Food Offering Ceremony
|
