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young people’s PRACTICE
Welcoming New Flowers
to Our Sangha
by Ben Matlock, True Equanimity of the Sangha
photo by Emily Whittle
Editor’s Note: The Boston Old Path Sangha created
a ceremony to welcome children to this life and to the
Sangha. You might consider offering this ceremony to
the children in your Sangha, especially to newborns.
You can change and add to this format with your own
creativity. For instance, it is lovely to chant the child’s
name to her or him as part of a welcoming ceremony.
A three-tiered altar was created; on the top level was a statue of Avalokiteshvara,
candles and flowers. On the second level was an empty vase;
on the lowest level a bowl of consecrated water with a willow branch.
Everyone sat in a circle, with the parents and the children being celebrated
nearest the altar. In front of each family was a bud vase with
a special flower and a branch, and gifts offered by the Sangha. Across
from the altar was a basket filled with one kind of flower.
Before the ceremony began, it was explained that the children
were to be the focal point of the event, and were invited to remain
through the entire ceremony, even if the traditional periods of silence
were interrupted.
32 Summer 2004