Opening Day Ceremony

Lore & Background

The Opening Day Ceremony for the Minnesota Twins has evolved over decades, from modest beginnings at Metropolitan Stadium to the grand spectacles seen today at Target Field. Each year, the ceremony honors the team's legacy, including the 1987 and 1991 World Series championships, and pays tribute to legendary players like Kirby Puckett and Harmon Killebrew. The event is a rite of spring for fans, symbolizing hope and renewal as the Twins take the field for another season.

In Their Own Story

The morning of June 24, 2006, was bright over the new temple grounds. Monks in saffron robes gathered with the laity, their voices rising in chants that had been passed down for centuries. Ven. Seewalie stood at the center, his presence a calm anchor for the community that had grown from small gatherings at a Vietnamese temple in Blaine. The air was thick with incense and expectation. A letter from the president of Sri Lanka was read aloud, its words carrying the weight of a nation's blessing: "I treat the inauguration of the Minnesota Buddhist Vihara as a remarkable event." For the families who had driven hours from across the Midwest, this was more than a building—it was a home for their faith, a place where the Buddha's teachings could take root in the cold soil of Minnesota.

Reader's Guide

The opening ceremony on June 24, 2006, marked the Vihara's move to its permanent location. The event was attended by monks and devout laity who offered chants and blessings. A president of Sri Lanka issued a formal greeting, which was read during the ceremony. The Vihara had been established in 2004 by Ven. Seewalie, who continues to serve as Abbot. Before this location, the community held activities at Thien An, a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Blaine. The new temple serves as a central place for the Buddhist community from various backgrounds to experience religious and spiritual events, including weekly meditation sessions, monthly meditation retreats, and annual ceremonies. The Vihara is open to the public and invites everyone to explore the Buddha's teachings.

Did You Know?

• The Minnesota Twins have played their home openers at three different venues: Metropolitan Stadium (1961-1981), the Metrodome (1982-2009), and Target Field (2010-present).
• The ceremonial first pitch at Opening Day is often thrown by a Twins legend, local sports hero, or community figure.
• Target Field's first Opening Day in 2010 featured a sellout crowd and a 5-2 win over the Boston Red Sox.
• The Twins' 1987 and 1991 World Series championship flags are raised during the Opening Day ceremony.
• Minnesota's unpredictable spring weather has led to several memorable snow-delayed Opening Days, including in 2013 and 2018.