Global Philosophy of Religion in the Local Des Moines Community
Bahá’í Festival of Unity
-6900 School Street, Windsor Heights
-Monday, October 28, 7:00-9:00pm
-Celebrate the birth of The Báb, forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh and the founder of the Bábí Faith, watch a newly released film on the Life of The Báb, and stay for refreshments and fellowship.
(Canceled due to Covid.)
Wat Lao Buddhist Temple
-1804 E Park Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50320
– Please join us for the annual Lao New Year’s Service! The event will include a “Tak Bat”, in which lay members of the temple donate “alms” to Buddhist monks; this food later comes back to the community “blessed.” The service includes a washing of the temple’s Buddha statues, as well as a ritual sprinkling of water on the congregation, both of which symbolically remove any evil and wrongdoing from the previous year. Guests are invited to stay past 11am for a short parade, a long meal, and many other festivities.
The site visit to Pure Land of Iowa will take place on Saturday, November 13th, 2021 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm.
From 12:30-1:00 there will be a tour of the temple complex, which includes both “Pure Land” and “Wisdom” halls, and more. After that, from 1:00-2:30 pm, Venerable Dr. Douglas Cheolsoeng Gentile will lead a “Beyond Mindfulness: Intro to Zen” meditation and discussion session.
Masks are required indoors. Also know that visitors will need to remove shoes (indoors) and should avoid pointing outstretched legs toward sacred objects and persons. Modest and comfortable attire is also advised.
The site visit to Tu Vien Hong Doc will take place on Sunday, October 10th, 2021 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
The community will be observing the annual commemoration of the installation of their bodhisattva Quan Am statue in 2014. The festivities will consist of indoor chanting and a dharma talk from 2:00–5:00pm, then a bowing procession to and prayers at the statue from 5:00-7:00pm. Most likely, food, etc. will be available for purchase.
Masks are required indoors. Also know that visitors will need to remove shoes (indoors) and should avoid pointing outstretched legs toward sacred statues, altars, and monks. Modest attire is also advised in the indoor spaces.