Memory Ceremony 2007

Temple Memory Ceremony and Special Prayers for Students Losing Their Lives in the Virginia Tech Tragedy On Sunday, August 26, 2007 Dae Yen Sa performs a special temple memory ceremony to remember dearly departed friends and family. Included in this day is a special prayer offering for the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. Many of the names are posted by noon before the ceremony begins. Preparation is still going on at noon with Master Dae San Sunim writing the names of those to be remembered. Prayers begin at 12:30 PM and last until about 3:45 PM. During the ceremony the 95 Names of those remembered are carried from the board. Sue Yen Sunim performing the bathing part of the ceremony. See Sue Yen Sunim perform the bathing portion of the ceremony by clicking here for: 2 min 43 sec version 16 sec short version While the bathing ceremony is performed, paper clothing representing the departed's outer garments is burned outside the temple. Many spoons are placed in the rice preparing to feed the ancestors. The feast ready for serving. Utensils are tapped on the table three times before placement on the food. Participants, three at a time, approach the alter with a flower in hand. Each person fills a small bowl with water, waving it by the candles three times. See the offerings and bowing at the altar 4:11. The water is poured into the basin and a portion of each dish is added to the mix for the memory ceremony. Master Dae San Sunim chanting Namu Amitabul 1:52. " The memory sheet is walked around and out of the temple with a procession of participants following. Many large flower arrangements are in place throughout the temple. The procession continues out into the yard. The ancestors feast previously poured into the basin is returned to the earth. The memory sheet is folded and placed with other items into a metal container. Master Dae San Sunim watches the results of the burning. If the fire burns well, the ceremony is considered successful. The fire burns well. Korean food specialties, such as rice cake, are served after the successful ceremony. Thank you for attending!