Dear Buddhist Town property owners, members, and friends,
Wishing you great auspiciousness in all endeavors!
2026 Holy Heavenly Lake Buddhist Town Annual Gathering
On July 1, Holy Heavenly Lake Buddhist Town held its annual gathering, including such yearly activities as the Wiser-ball Friendship Tournament, symposium, outdoor meditation, and the Prayer Lotus Water Lantern Ceremony. The rich program was made possible through the wholehearted participation of volunteers from around the world in all aspects from planning to execution, from symposium to booths offering delicious food. We are especially grateful to Fa Chan Temple for leading the outdoor meditation session. Once again, we took this wonderful opportunity to meet at the beautiful shore of Holy Heavenly Lake to reunite, to encourage each other, and to continue to grow on this path we share.
The morning Wiser-ball Friendship Tournament, organized by the North American Wiser-ball Association, brought together eight teams from different countries led by four certified referees (Chuanlong, Zhiwen, Bicui, and Xiujuan) with four assistants (Xiuzhen, Xiujuan, Xuanyi, and Terry), again from different parts of the world, working harmoniously and tirelessly under the blazing sun. Moving from court to court alongside the players they witnessed every thrilling rally and hard-fought match. Congratulations to Team LI-LE on winning the Championship, to Team Benevolence for earning 2nd Place, and to the Northern California–San Francisco Team for taking 3rd Place! Following the awards ceremony, participants enjoyed a raffle drawing. Laughter and cheers erupted whenever exciting prizes were presented to the lucky winners!
The Charity Bazaar was livelier than ever this year, featuring booths ranging from a Nepal poverty-relief fundraising craft sale, to beautiful handmade Buddhist ritual items and artistic accessories created by members from China, to a wide selection of household and wellness products from the locals. A new addition this year was the Wiser-ball uniforms and accessories sale, which proved extremely popular. The championship-winning Team LI-LE stood out in competition wearing official uniforms with complete equipment, presenting an impressive and spirited appearance that became a highlight! A Creative Art Corner hosted by Flora and Jessica drew participants of all ages, adding a vibrant artistic atmosphere to the event.
The afternoon featured a forum for sharing inspiring practices of compassionate charity events, Dharma activities, and ideas for future development. Jessie reported on the completion of a disaster relief effort that donated 25 prefab housing units to the victims of the Myanmar earthquake, made possible through the joint efforts of the Macang Cultural and Educational Foundation of Taiwan, the planning and organizing of Sisters Meidong and Boqin, and the generous donations of many organizations and individuals. Brother Chen reported on a BTCA delegation’s participation in the Global Peace Dharma Assembly held in Bhutan last November at the invitation of the royal family and the religious leaders. The KAC Youth Group presented a video featuring young practitioners from around the world sharing their personal experiences of studying and practicing The True Dharma, and recounting how their lives have been transformed. Their worldwide online Dharma exploration program created a frisson of excitement. Other highlights included Yuantong Dharma Teacher introducing Dharma events in Japan; Brother Nanxiang and Wang Dong from Canada sharing their resources and suggestions for spreading the benefits of Buddhist Dharma; and Sister Cihuan sharing her heartfelt personal practices. These were all truly inspirational and precious.
Prayer Lotus Water Lantern Ceremony and Outdoor Meditation
Upon the completion of the forum, we had the honor of inviting Venerable Zhengda Jiaozun to lead a prayer of lights. With a prayer lotus lantern in hand, everyone made a pledge and sang The Song of Lighting the Lamps, with heartfelt aspiration to kindle the lamp of wisdom within, uphold the True Dharma, and help spread its light to every corner of the world. Amid the singing, one by one we walked toward the lake and released the lotus lanterns carrying our wishes onto the lake. Bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, the lake reflected our collective aspirations for world peace, harmony, and the well-being of all beings. In the peaceful stillness that followed, we sat down for a meditation at the outdoor mandala specially set up for the occasion. With a gentle breeze sweeping across Holy Heavenly Lake, the noise and turmoil of the world faded away, leaving only mindfulness and serenity. People gathered to enjoy the warm ginger tea and soup that Brother Wesley had thoughtfully prepared, and dwelt in the restored warmth.
Our deepest gratitude goes to all the volunteers who traveled from near and far to support this year’s annual gathering. Special thanks to our onsite coordinators Vincent, Susan, Jason, Joanna, and Kent, as well as the youth volunteers from Canada and Southern California. Their selfless dedication and wholehearted service made every aspect of the event possible. They prepared the sound system and music, erected tents and tables, arranged the Wiser-ball fields, prepared the lotus lanterns, and coordinated meals and refreshments under the leadership of Sister Fang. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the peaceful shores of Holy Heavenly Lake in 2027!
Sri Lanka Pilgrimage
BTCA is organizing a delegation to participate in a major pilgrimage and international Buddhist gathering to be held in Sri Lanka in late November 2026. We warmly invite everyone to join this rare and precious event, pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, and visit the Sacred Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, the oldest historically documented Bodhi tree in the world.
Dates: November 27–December 2, 2026
Registration Deadline: July 31, 2026 (Space is limited, so register as early as possible)
Contact: Joanna, Assistant, BTCA, 626-639-8181, info@buddhisttown.com
View detailed Sri Lanka pilgrimage information and registration.
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