Ryaku Fusatsu

Ryaku Fusatsu Full Moon Bodhisattva Service

In the heart of the night

The moonlight framing

A small boat drifting,

Tossed not by the waves

Nor swayed by the breeze.

–Eihei Dogen

Ryaku Fusatsu, the Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony is practiced monthly by Zen groups throughout the world. This age-old tradition finds its roots with the historical Buddha Shakyamuni and provides a wonderful occasion to appreciate the precepts in shared group practice. Relinquishment and renewal serve as the core themes, which are central and help to keep our practice vital, meaningful and alive.

The Barre Zen Center offers the Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony monthly on the Sunday evening closest to the full moon date. Participation is an opportunity to maintain our connection to the Bodhisattva path with the support of the group energy of the sangha [Zen community]. All are welcome to join us in support of this important aspect of our practice program.

Schedule: 5:40 Zendo Opens; 5:55 Jundo (Formal Silent Greeting; 6:00 Zazen; 6:25 Kinhin, 6:30 Ryaku Fusatsu; 7:00 Closing Gatha. Please Note: Entry: 5:40 -5:55 Only.

2026 Full Moon DatesRyaku Fusatsu Dates
January 3: Wolf MoonJanuary 4
February 1: Snow MoonFebruary 1
March 3: Worm MoonMarch 1
April 1: Pink MoonMarch 29
May 1: Flower Moon May 31: Blue MoonMay 3 May 31
June 29: Strawberry MoonJune 28
July 29: Buck MoonJuly 26
August 27: Sturgeon MoonAugust 30
September 26: Harvest MoonSeptember 27
October 26: Hunter’s MoonOctober 25
November 24: Beaver MoonNovember 22
December 23: Cold Moon  December 20