Altruistic Ordination
Ordain on behalf of those who cannot themselves ordain
觀 音 · 救 苦
Annual Gathering · Pháp hội thường niên
Mandala Quán Âm — Kuan Yin
Nine days of sacred gathering — Three-Steps-One-Bow, Flower Offering, Avalokiteśvara Mandala, Altruistic Ordination. World Peace in Action — practitioners worldwide pray and dedicate merit for peace.
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Opening in · 2026-06-13
45
days
15
hours
3
min
36
sec
✦ ✦ ✦
Awaken compassion — transform karma
Mandala Quán Âm is the largest annual gathering of the Compassionate Service Society — rooted in the tradition of Avalokiteśvara of the Thousand Hands and Eyes, weaving solo practice (Three-Steps-One-Bow, meditation) with community ritual (Flower Offering, hand-drawn Mandala, Altruistic Ordination). Each year, 700+ practitioners gather from across the world — not only to practice, but to dedicate merit for world peace.
悲
Great Compassion
Open the heart — send compassion to all beings.
懺
Repentance
Three-Steps-One-Bow — transform karma from past lives.
願
Dedication
Dedicate the merit of practice for world peace.
Pháp Hội · Main Programs
Main Programs in the Gathering
Activities at the gathering
Six practices of the gathering
拜
Three-Steps-One-Bow
Three steps and one prostration around the sacred space — an ancient body-speech-mind repentance practice from Mahayana tradition.
壇
Avalokiteśvara Mandala
Hand-draw and visualize the sacred geometry — cosmic mind-map of Avalokiteśvara.
花
Flower Offering
Offering blossoms to a thousand bodhisattvas — symbol of pure heart and formless devotion.
出
Altruistic Ordination
48 hours of monastic life — short-term ordination for the benefit of others, not self.
音
Hymn of Faith — Sacred performance
Special musical performance staged by practitioners from multiple branches — debuting on Sunday.
健
Wellness · Body & Mind
Morning Tai Chi, yoga, and light meditation — preparing body and mind for the day's ritual.
Moments across the years
One gathering — 16 seasons of tradition
Frequently asked
Before you attend
Wear a white practice robe (available from 42-hands.com or HQ). Bring slip-on shoes for the prostration ritual, a personal water bottle, and a sun hat. Most importantly: a sincere heart and readiness to stand/sit for long hours. Partial attendance is welcome if you can't make all 9 days.
Volunteer
Serve — with us
The gathering needs 200+ volunteers annually. Every role is a form of practice — service is practice.
Role you'd like
✦ Demo · Submit does not really send
See you in Houston
Register for the 2026 gathering — or give to support another practitioner attending.