We hope you are well and happy enough wherever you may be. Here in Deer Park Monastery, we just finished the day where we welcomed our Teacher’s ashes back to the monastery from Vietnam. It was a beautiful ceremony with many auspicious moments offered by Mother Earth and Father Sky, with some blessing hail, caressing light rain and some magical sunshine, clouds and rainbows. Truly our Teacher was present with us for sure. Many of our local Sangha friends came to offer their love and support to the monastic Sangha and to each other. It was truly a heartfelt reunion with no separation.
The 49th Day is an important event in the Vietnamese tradition to commemorate our beloved 49 days after Thay’s transition. The 49th Day Memorial Weekend Retreat is for practitioners to come practice, support and honor our Teacher’s life and love; it is open to the public.