The sangha welcoming the new Kanzeon at the eye-opening ceremony. Our new Buddha Hall is our old Godo. Here Shakyamuni Buddha, the original temple image of ZCLA, presides over religious ceremony. We also chant the names our women ancestors. Sunday service is the Gate of Sweet Nectar , when we blow the conch shell to declare the raising of the Bodhi Mind and invite and feed the hungry spirits.
Members bring nonperishable food offerings which are collected for a neighborhood food bank.
Also, in the Buddha Hall, we share our life experiences in Practice Circles , which are based on the Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Though circles are new to ZCLA, human beings have been gathering in this way since time immemorial. Photographs of our teachers, and our teachers' teachers, pictures of our early days, mementos, and calligraphy are displayed. This building eventually will house ZCLA's archives, and be used as a library. It is also used for meetings and classes.