Vesak is when Buddhists in Shepparton and across Australia and around the World observe and recollect together the Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away. Commemorated annually by the United Nations to acknowledge the contribution which Buddhism, one of the world’s oldest religions, has made for over 2600 years and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity and fostering of world peace. There will be a celebration of Vesak in Queens Gardens, Shepparton, on Saturday, 21 May 2016.
At Vesak Buddhists commemorate the birth of the Buddha-to-be, Siddhattha Gautama, his Enlightenment at the age of 35 when he became the Buddha and his final 'passing' into Nirvana at the age of 80, no more to be reborn. Buddhist scriptures relate that each of these three significant events occurred on a full moon of the Indian lunar month of Vesakha.
Traditionally, his birth is supposed to have been in 623 BC but the Buddhist calendar is counted from his final passing, eighty years later. The older tradition of Vesak is to celebrate all three events but there are some more recent Buddhist schools and groups that celebrate just the birth and others only the Enlightenment.
This is a multicultural Vesak Celebration shared by Victoria’s vibrant and diverse Buddhist cultures and languages, traditions and forms of practice – including from the Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Mongolian, Thai, Tibetan, Sri Lankan, Taiwanese and Vietnamese communities. Leaders from Shepparton's Buddhist and Interfaith organisations will also join in the commemoration as the Vesak message of peace is echoed in every faith.
The event has been kindly sponsored by the City of Greater Shepparton, People Supporting People, Victoria Police and the Shepparton Interfaith Network.
Lanterns
If you would like to have a go at making your own Wesak lantern to hang in the gardens for the celebration, instructions are at this link http://studentlanka.com/2014/05/01/how-to-make-a-vesak-wesak-lantern-kudu-best-10-tutorials/
To hang your lantern in the Queens Gardens you will need to come down to the gardens (Crn of Wyndham St & Nixon St Shepparton) between 2:30pm and 4:00pm on Saturaday 21 May -- to have them hung.
What: Vesak Celebration
When: Saturday, 21 May at 5:30PM
Where: Queens Gardens - Crn Wyndham St & Nixon St Shepparton
:More Information: Sam Atukorala, 5831 2395 or Charlene Norton, 5832 9527
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