A small cultural or spiritual gathering in a room with a wooden ceiling and beige walls. People are seated in a semi-circle, listening to two men seated in front of a table with decorations and a framed calligraphy scroll. The setting appears to be a lecture or presentation, with a piano and flowers on the table.

Weekly Events

Dharma Practice and Discussion

Every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm our community gathers for traditional Buddhist practice, fellowship, and Dharma discussion in the main sanctuary of the 21 King Ave, Albany, NY 12206. You do not need to be a Buddhist or have any background in meditation or Buddhist practice to join in. Feel free to send an email to albanybuddhist@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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Dharma School

During the adult service, children are invited to learn about the Dharma in a relaxed classroom environment by the sanctuary. Parents interested in learning more about Dharma School should reach out to Dr. Aaron Proffitt, our Dharma School coordinator: aproffitt@gmail.com.

Monthly Events

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Sangha Potluck

On the first Tuesday of the month we enjoy light refreshments and fellowship after the service. Dharma School students help set up drinks and snacks in their classroom.

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Meditation Service

On the third Tuesday of the month, our regularly scheduled 6:30 service is given over to meditation, which includes sitting, walking, and contemplation in the Zen-Shin tradition of Ekoji Buddhist Temple as formulated by Rev. Dr. Kenryu Tsuji.

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Meditation Course

On the first Saturday of each month from 9:30-11:00am at Honest Weight Food Co-Op, Dr. Aaron Proffitt will be teaching “Deep Listening: An Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation.” While meditation and mindfulness have grown in popularity, the quality of instruction and the background knowledge of teachers can vary wildly. In this introductory course, you will have the opportunity to learn about the history and diversity of mindfulness traditions from Dr. Aaron Proffitt, an experienced meditator and expert on Buddhist traditions of East Asia. Total beginners and experienced meditators welcome!

Annual Events

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New Year's Eve/Day

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are both important holidays in our tradition. On or around New Year’s Eve the community gathers to ring the bell 108 times. The number 108 is said to symbolize the number of afflictions associated with the human condition. Ringing the bell symbolizes alleviating those afflictions. For the first gathering of the New Year, we set our intentions together as a community.

Children gather around a table with colorful flowers and a Buddha statue, inside a church with wooden walls and stained glass windows.

Buddha's Birthday Celebration

On or around April 8th, our tradition celebrates the birthday of Siddhartha Gotama, aka, Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. During the ceremony participants pour sweet tea on an image of Buddha in reference to the traditional story of the gods pouring heavenly ambrosia upon the newborn Buddha-to-be. This holiday is especially popular with the children.

Other Holidays

Here are a few of our other holidays and celebrations:

HOLIDAYS
01/01, New Year’s Day
01/16, Shinran Shōnin’s Memorial
02/15, Nirvana Day (Śākyamuni Buddha’s Parinirvana)
03/21, Spring Equinox
04/08, Buddha’s Birthday
05/21, Shinran’s Birthday
07/15, O-Bon: Celebration of the Ancestors
09/23, Autumn Equinox
11~ Eitaikyo: Celebration of Dharma Ancestors
12/08, Bodhi Day (Śākyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment)
12/31, New Year’s Eve

OTHER SPECIAL SERVICES
Infant Presentation
Three Refuges and Joining the Sangha
Weddings
Funerals
Memorial Services