Do you know that each year, there is a moment set aside to honor quiet kindness?
National Volunteer Week in 2026 falls on April 19–25.
A small offering of time… A simple act of care… Like a drop in still water, it ripples farther than we can see.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III teaches that compassion is not only something we contemplate. It is something we live. In fact our practice continues in our actions, in how we show up for others.
When we extend a hand, offer our time or talents, or simply listen, we bring the teachings into the world.
There is even a flower that reflects this spirit—Clematis ‘Samaritan Jo’, named for those who help others in times of distress. It’s easy to grow, and with a little care and good deadheading, it can bloom for up to six months—a gentle reminder that compassion, too, can be continuous.
Your time. Your presence. Your kindness.
These are seeds.
When planted, they not only bring joy to others, they quietly deepen your own sense of purpose in life.
Hua Zang Si has always upheld and propagated the authentic teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Namo Sakyamuni Buddha. With the great compassionate Bodhicitta, the temple brings loving-kindness into practice, extending it to every sentient being in this world.
Since launching the “Love without Limits ” donation drive during its 20th anniversary in 2024, the monastics and volunteers have personally visited communities, carefully assessed needs, and thoughtfully selected three organizations to support:
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
Muttville Senior Dog Rescue
HPP (Homeless Prenatal Program)
On December 19, 2024, Hua Zang Si delivered its first round of donated supplies. This year, that compassion continues without interruption.
On March 13 & 17, 2026, the group set out once again.
First Stop: San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
With inflation and rising living costs, many families are struggling to meet basic needs. This time, Hua Zang Si donated approximately 3.200 pounds of essential supplies, including rice, black beans, peanut butter, and various canned fruits and vegetables. May each item provide a bit more support and strength for families facing hardship.
Second Stop: Muttville Senior Dog Rescue
Here live elderly dogs who, despite their age, still long to be loved. Hua Zang Si donated 187 items, including collars, leashes, harnesses, pet beds, fleece blankets, dog poop bags, and cleaning supplies. These seemingly ordinary items bring real comfort and dignity to these senior dogs. With the devoted care of staff and volunteers, they are no longer alone. The principle of “equality of all beings” is truly embodied through these everyday acts of compassion.
Third Stop: HPP (Homeless Prenatal Program)
HPP has long supported underserved families and homeless pregnant women by providing essential supplies, housing assistance, education, and employment resources. This time, Hua Zang Si donated 100 items, including baby bottle gift sets, portable booster seats, strollers, infant carriers, baby portable bouncers, collapsible wagon carts , dehumidifiers, and baby bath gift sets. They help expectant mothers feel supported and hopeful during difficult times.
Through these actions, Hua Zang Si puts the Buddha’s teachings into practice—loving and benefiting all beings. Every act of giving is a reminder of one’s own cultivation. True practice lies not only in inner awareness, but in bringing compassion into everyday life. May this boundless love flow like water, nourishing more lives and making the world warmer through kindness and love.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha IIIutilizes contemporary language to impart the profound teachings of the Dharma in a manner that is both accessible and deeply meaningful. Th expositions are clear, comprehensive, insightful, and at times imbued with a subtle sense of humor if you have not yet listened respectfully to the Dharma expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.
At Hua Zang Si, in the Sakyamuni Buddha Hall, numerous prerecorded Dharma discourses are reverently displayed on an altar table before the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. These Dharma CDs symbolize correct and authentic teachings within this sacred temple. Several Dharma discourses expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III have been transcribed and available online. Notably, a complete transcription of The Great Dharma of Zen Practice can be accessed through Announcement No. 40 on the official website of The Office of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.
Meditation, often a gateway through which many first encounter Buddhism, is addressed in this Dharma. It serves as a guiding light for sentient beings, leading them into the study and cultivation of the mind and conduct in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings.