GEBIS set for open house this weekend

More than 1,400 people have already registered to attend

The Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society (GEBIS) will be holding its annual open house on Mother’s Day weekend.

Located in Little Sands near the Wood Islands ferry terminal, it is one of the largest Buddhist communities in North America with several hundred monks routinely studying at the complex.

As a private retreat centre and a place of study, the monastery is not normally open to the public.

However, on May 12-13, the complex will open its doors for the annual open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The monastery’s open house is one of a few major events to bring monastics and Islanders even closer,’’ said Venerable Liu, president of GEBIS.

“For all the hospitality and kindness the people of P.E.I. have shown us since we first arrived in P.E.I. in 2008, we would like to celebrate our progress with you all.”

This year’s open house will be featuring the lifestyle at the monastery, including what monks are doing and learning on a daily basis, a demonstration of novice monk’s learning, including dialectics on the Buddhist philosophy.

There will also an exhibition of acts and stories of kindness that the monks have carried out over the past few years, including stories on the dinner rolls. The monks will also showcase how they observe and celebrate Mother’s Day, by remembering the kindness of their mothers.

As in the previous open houses held by GEBIS, visitors will also get to tour some of the facilities on campus, including the grand prayer hall, to make personal connection with the monks, and to experience and enjoy the pastries and refreshments made by the young monks.

More than 1,400 people have already registered on their website in the first week.

“No one shall be turned away”, said Liu, who added that parking could become a problem if too many people show up.

Anyone interested is suggested to register online in advance, at http://gebis.org/ events/2018- annual-openhouse/.

The last GEBIS open house in 2016 attracted more than 2,600 people.

The monastery is located at 12174 Shore Road (Route 4) in Little Sands.

For more information, visit http://gebis.org/events/2018annualopen-house/ or call 902969-9777.