Opening Ceremony

May 2, 2009

It was a bright, sunny day and over 1,500 people attended the event. More than 60 Venerables from Taiwan, Canada, and all over the US joined Texas Buddhist Association President Venerable Jan Hai and American Bodhi Center Abbot Venerable Hung I in celebrating this momentous occasion.

Together the Venerables lead 48 TBA members in performing the Purification Ceremony. They walked around the Meditation Hall, while reciting the Great Compassion Sutra and the Heart Sutra. This was followed by singing of the American National Anthem and the Song of the Buddha by two TBA members. Next, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for this historic event was carried out by eleven Elder Venerables and eleven honored guests and TBA members. Then the Opening of the Meditation Hall was carried out by 88 year-old Elder Venerable Zen Hua. He symbolically used a golden key to open the Meditation Hall and announced to everyone that “From this day onward, American Bodhi Center is officially open to continue to turn the Dharma wheel and to work towards the benefit of all sentient beings”. Lastly, the Inauguration Ceremony of the Buddha Statue was completed in front of the Buddha Statue by five Elder Venerables.

This auspicious event was brought to a close by a colorful and lively performance of the Dragon Dance by 27 members of the TBA Youth Group, which immediately caught the attention and wonder of all the guests in attendance.

PROGRAM

Inauguration Ceremony

• Ribbon cutting- “The American National Anthem” and “The Song of the Buddha, May Buddha’s light shine like the sun, the Dharma wheel keep turning, and Buddhism bring benefits to the United States of America.”
• Opening ceremony
• Key Notes
  • Welcome by Reverend Jan Hai, President of TBA
  • ABC Inauguration by Reverend Hung I, Abbot of Jade Buddha Temple
  • Distinguished Guest Speakers
• Inauguration Ceremony
• Dedication & Merits Transference
• Dragons Dance by TBA Youth Group and Bodhi Chinese School
• Photo Opts
• Closing: Buddha Purification (everyone invited)