Vesak is a Holy Day traditionally observed by millions of Buddhists in Asia and South East Asia. It is on the first full moon day of May and is the most important celebration in the Buddhist calendar. On this special occasion, hundreds of millions of Buddhists and non-Buddhists all over the world take time to commemorate the Birth, Enlightenment, and Passing away of Shakyamuni Buddha or Gautama Buddha. This is the time for people to reflect on the Buddha's life and his teachings, as well as to contemplate the relevance to their own lives and practise of developing compassion, wisdom and loving-kindness towards all living beings in accordance to the Buddha's teachings and instructions.
We are very grateful to our management at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC) for giving permission and their full support for us to organise the sixth Vesak Celebration at DPFC in conjunction with Quang Minh Temple and its Congregation.
Altogether, we had about 75 women from different nationalities and religious backgrounds at DPFC attended this holy commemoration day. Six women from Tarrengower were also given permission and escorted to come and join the Vesak celebration at DPFC this year.
Amongst over 20 Distinguished Guests we had Senior Abbot Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, Venerable Thich Phuoc Thai, Mr Tony Le – Community Engaging Coordinator, and the Pureland Congregation from Quang Minh Temple; Venerable Catherine Evans and Venerable Anna Goldstein from the Daham Niketanaya – North Victorian Buddhist Association; Venerable Thich Hue Ngo, Venerable Thich Tam Buu, Thich Nu Tam Hoa from Phat To Temple; and Paul Harris – Buddhist Chaplain at the Melbourne Assessment Prison.
In accordance with tradition, this year's Vesak Celebration started with a Chanting Homage to the Buddha followed by one minute of compassionate reflection. The Governor welcomed and thanked all the distinguished guests. After that, Senior Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan delivered his Opening Speech for this holy day, followed by a Buddhist Service in Vietnamese and English, and concluded the Vesak Service with a ceremonial Bathing of the Buddha.
Then every one rejoiced the merits of this holy day over a shared lunch with beautiful vegetarian dishes prepared, cooked and served by the Women at DPFC and the Pureland Congregation.
After lunch, Venerable Thich Phuoc Thai delivered his Dharma Talk in Vietnamese for Vietnamese speaking women, and Venerable Catherine Evans and Anna Goldstein led the discussion and meditation groups for all other women who speak English.
After the Dharma Talks, the Vietnamese Women's Choir at DPFC and members of Pureland Congregation sang and entertained every one with their lovely voices and Buddhist songs.
The holy day of Vesak Celebration ended successfully with loving and kind words of reflections and thanks from the women and Distinguished Guests.
Every one expressed their gratitude and appreciation to all the people involved who helped make this Vesak Celebration happen this year. The women at DPFC are already looking forward to next year's Vesak Celebration, as they appreciate peace and bliss of this holy day.
We would like to express our special thanks to the management at DPFC, all the women who helped set up and decorate the altar and the hall; prepared, cooked and served the beautiful vegetarian lunch; all the monks and nuns from Quang Minh Temple, Daham Niketanaya – North Victorian Buddhist Association, Phat To Temple, and Chaplains from the Buddhist Council of Victoria.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 December 2012 09:43