Buddha and Sacred Relics Veneration & Prayer Ceremony
Chicago Chinatown
In front of Chinatown Visitor Center (2189 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago IL 60616)
We are honored to invite and venerate the following sacred relics at the ceremony:
- Relics of Sakyamuni Buddha
- Relics of Venerable Śāriputra (Pāli: Sariputta)
- Relics of Venerable Maudgalyāyana (Pāli: Moggallāna)
- Relics of Venerable Ānanda
- Relics of Venerable Vakkula (Pāli: Bakkula)
Event Schedule – Scroll to the bottom for route maps.
Day 1 (July 25, 2026, Saturday): Opening Ceremony
| Time | Item |
|---|---|
| 9:30 AM | Welcoming of Guests and VIPs |
| 10:00 AM | Blessing Chant (Theravada Tradition) |
| 10:20 AM | Speech from Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, Buddhist VIP |
| 10:30 AM | Speech from Government Officials |
| 10:50 AM | Lion Dance |
| 11:10 AM | Group Photo |
| 11:25 AM | Lunch at King KTV (2002 S Wentworth Ave, 2nd floor) — For Monastics, Volunteers, Chamber Staffs and Registered Buddhists only. |
| 12:40 PM | Blessing Walk Around Chinatown (Led by Buddhist Monastics) — Open to the Public. The Route Map is Enclosed. |
| 1:30 PM | Brief Speech from Each Buddhist Tradition (Theravada, Vietnamese, Chinese); Blessing Chant (Vietnamese and Chinese Traditions) |
| 2:30 PM | Conclusion of Ceremony |
Day 2 (July 26, 2026, Sunday): Blessing Chant & Dharma Sharing and Exchange Assembly
| Time | Item |
|---|---|
| 10:30 AM | Blessing Chant (English) |
| 11:00 AM | Proceed to King KTV for Lunch |
| 11:15 AM | Lunch (for Monastics, Volunteers, Chamber Staffs and Registered Buddhists only) |
| 12:00 PM | Short Break |
| 1:00 PM | Dharma Sharing and Exchange Assembly — Keynote Speaker: Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi; Theme: Peace, Security, and Order in the Dharma; Venue: Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Chicago (CCBA), 250 W 22nd Pl, Chicago, IL 60616 |
| 3:00 PM | Assembly Concludes |
♣ The sacred relics will be on display at the Relics altar for all to venerate throughout the two-day event.
- July 25: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
- July 26: 8:00 AM–6:30 PM
Co-organized by:
International Buddhism Friendship Association (IBFA) & The Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce (CCC)
Daily Relics Welcoming and Escorting Procession Schedule
- 8:00 AM (25th and 26th): Welcoming Procession — Sacred relics are escorted from IBFA to the Relics Altar in the front of Chinatown Visitor Center.
- Evening Escorting Procession — Sacred relics are escorted from the Relics Altar back to IBFA.
- Saturday, July 25: 8:00 PM
- Sunday, July 26: 6:30 PM
- All are welcome to take part in the welcoming and escorting processions.
IBFA Chicago | International Buddhism Friendship Association 