Calgary Buddhist Temple Blog

Sunday Services In-person or Online

Friday, November 14, 2025
by

The Temple has now reopened the main floor/hondo service area for in-person Sunday Service attendance starting at 10:00am (MST) plus we will continue with Live Streaming. We hope you will join us! 

Online live-streaming is from our Facebook group Calgary Buddhist Temple and the relevant sections from our service book are posted prior to the service.

NOTE: Temple closed from Dec 15-30

Local, Teachings | Leave a Comment

Make a Japanese Wind Chime

Monday, April 27, 2026
by

Everyone is invited to take part in this fun activity that is popular in Japan – make a wind chime! Join the Sangha on Sunday, June 14 starting at 11:30am to use special POSCA pens to create or design your own personalized glass wind chime.

A Japanese wind chime, known as a furin (⾵鈴, literally “wind bell”) in Japanese, is a small bell usually found hanging from the balconies and porches of Japanese houses in summer. Originally used in Buddhist temples, where many of these bells can still be found today. Over 1200 years ago, nobility began to hang them on their own porches as a protective charm to ward away evil spirits. Over time, the bells became smaller and more common in Japanese houses.

In the days before air-conditioning, Japanese people used to listen to the sound of furin to promote a feeling of coolness to help get through Japan’s sweltering and humid summers.

The components for the wind chime, including the glass bell is $15 per wind chime. This is a great activity and open to all. To register, go to https://bit.ly/windchime-14Jun26

Local, Sangha Engagement | Leave a Comment

Community Outreach Opportunities

Monday, April 27, 2026
by

Enjoy being part of the Sangha and thinking of others by providing lunch service on Sunday, May 3 at the Calgary Drop-In Centre downtown. We leave from the Temple around 11:15am and walk over to the Drop-In Centre together or you can meet us there at 11:30am.

Thank you to those who have stepped-up. May 3rd volunteer activity is now FULL.

On Sunday, June 7 from 1:00pm-4:00pm, volunteer with the Sangha at the Calgary (Drop-In) Donation Centre. This family-friendly (aged 12 or older), volunteer opportunity supports various day-to-day activities at the Donation Centre located at 3640 11a Street NE. Volunteer activities include, but are not limited to, the storage, distribution,  management, and inventory of all donated items. If you want to give back behind the scenes, this is the perfect job for you!

Please sign up and meet us at the Donation Centre (3640 11a Street NE Calgary) on June 7! Sign up at
https://bit.ly/DonationCentre-07Jun26

Local, Sangha Engagement | Leave a Comment

Summer Ikebana Class

Monday, April 27, 2026
by

Classes will be held on Saturday afternoons at The Calgary Buddhist Temple from 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm. 

The 5 classes are a series and the total cost including flower material and instruction is $250 for Temple members and $300 for non-members. No refunds for missed classes.

Students must have their own containers, hand pruners and kenzan (frog). You can purchase these items from Rika or she can help you select suitable ones on your own if you contact her. These items are not included in the lesson cost.

Rika Saruwatari trained under Ms. Takako Yokoyama, and became a certified Shihan (teacher) in 2012.

光⾵未⽣流 (Kofu misho school ikebana) classes

  • June 27
  • July 11, 25
  • Aug 8, 22

Rika’s contact info koufuikebana@gmail.com

Local | Leave a Comment

Thank You Very Mochi & Sashiko Kits

Wednesday, April 15, 2026
by

We are so grateful to be able to hold services again in-person at the Temple.  Your trust, understanding, patience, and continued support, during the repairs to the temple, has been appreciated.

To celebrate, on May 24, the Temple’s Sangha (community) Engagement committee would like to provide a small token of appreciation to those who are able to attend Sunday service. Everyone in attendance can take home a piece of mochi – our way of saying “Thank you very mochi!”.

Mochi is a Japanese rice cake which carries a deep cultural significance, symbolizing prosperity, long life, and the continuity of life itself.  It is stuffed with a sweet filling, most commonly anko, a sweetened red bean paste made from azuki beans.

Sashiko Kits

Last December, we unfortunately had to cancel the “Let’s Sashiko Together” workshop so after service on Sunday, May 24, the “do-it-yourself” or DIY sashiko kits will be available for purchase for $10-$25 each. A limited number of different patterns and materials will be available to choose from.

Sashiko (刺し子), meaning “little stabs,” is a traditional Japanese decorative and functional embroidery technique that uses simple, repeating running stitches to mend, reinforce, and embellish fabric. Historically, it was practiced by rural communities to repair and strengthen clothing and textiles. Today, sashiko is celebrated as both a practical repair method and a distinct form of decorative art, known for its geometric patterns and meditative process.  

For those who registered and paid back in December, you will have first pick from the kits. 

Local | Leave a Comment

Ikebana-Inspired Mother’s Day Arrangement

Monday, March 23, 2026
by

Create a unique flower arrangement for your mother or someone special! Please join the Calgary Buddhist Temple Sangha Engagement as we learn about Ikebana on Saturday, May 9.

We will make a simple, ikebana-inspired arrangement which would be perfect for that special someone! This basic workshop will be lead by the amazing, Rika Saruwatari, who was trained under Ms. Takako Yokoyama, and is a certified Shihan (teacher).

All materials will be provided but if you have a pair of ikebana scissors or gardening cutters, please bring them with you.

Dharma Time/children’s session from 10am-12:00pm at a cost of $20/child (must be accompanied by an adult). To register: https://bit.ly/WindChime-09May26-am 

Adult/14+ session from 2:00pm-4:00pm. This workshop is open to the public at a cost of $30.00/person. To register:  https://bit.ly/WindChime-09May26-pm 

Deadline to register is April 30 due to the placement of the flower order.

 

Local, Sangha Engagement | Leave a Comment

Spring Ikebana Class

Friday, February 27, 2026
by

Classes will be held on Saturday afternoons at The Calgary Buddhist Temple from 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm. 

The 5 classes are a series and the total cost including flower material and instruction is $250 for Temple members and $300 for non-members. No refunds for missed classes.

Students must have their own containers, hand pruners and kenzan (frog). You can purchase these items from Rika or she can help you select suitable ones on your own if you contact her. These items are not included in the lesson cost.

Rika Saruwatari trained under Ms. Takako Yokoyama, and became a certified Shihan (teacher) in 2012.

光⾵未⽣流 (Kofu misho school ikebana) classes

  • April 18
  • May 2, 16, 30
  • June 13

Rika’s contact info koufuikebana@gmail.com

Local | Leave a Comment