Giant Solid Jade Buddha Arrives in Ventura: Come Pray for Peace Saturday 2/12/11

This morning, after yoga with the wonderful Sally McNally at the An Lac Buddhist Mission in Ventura, Kari Jensen and I went out into the garden to see the preparations for the sharing of the Jade Buddha and the Holy Relics Exhibition tomorrow, Saturday February 12, 2011 at the AN LAC MISSION- GARDEN, 901 S.Saticoy Ave., Ventura,CA 93004. Kari took photos with her nice camera, but for now you’ll have to make do with photos from my iPhone!

Several monks in orange garb and nuns in grey scurried around giving directions to the many Vietnamese people there getting everything ready. Flowers are everywhere, some already in arrangements, others waiting to be placed.

The garden at the Buddhist Temple is one of my favorite places in Ventura. While the Jade Buddha and tens are temporary, the are several monumental statues. While Guanyin has been in the garden for a while, these other Buddhas pictured are new.

If you would like to attend tomorrow, please arrive to be seated by 12:45 for the 1pm Opening Ceremony and a Parade of Buddhists from different countries with monks and nuns. I understand there will be at least 50 in attendance.

There will be Buddhist and other faith prayers for Universal Peace. Buddhist, Native American, Jewish, Christian, and clergy from other religions will present a short prayer for world peace.

At 3pm, a Cultural Show will feature music and dance including Japanese Taiko Drums from Togen Daiko, Oxnard Buddhist Temple, Oxnard, Sacred Songs by Chumash Native Americans, Thai Dance by Wat Thai of Los Angeles,  Vietnamese dances by An Lac Mission members, Sri Lankan Dances by An Lac Mission and Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara members, Cambodian and Laotian Dances by Cambodian  Cultural Group,  Bangladesh Dance by California Bodhi Vihara and Chinese Songs by Alex Tin Guo Aaron Tin Guo.

Following the entertainment, traditional foods will be available for a donation. Everything smelled so good today! I can’t wait to sample various vegetarian foods tomorrow!

This will be an amazing afternoon and evening and I hope to see you there!

If drumming is more your style (instead of chanting!), to further celebrate the presence of the Jade Buddha at the Ventura Buddhist Study Center, join a Drum Circle for Peace to the festivities Thursday evening, Feb. 17, at 6:30pm.