Vesak 03/05/2009

Thay’s Vesak Message
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya  

Venerable Sangha, Distinguished Guests, Buddhist friends

Today we are celebrating the 2633rd Vesak, The Birthday of Prince Sidharta. Price Sidharta, like us was a human being; He was not a God, or like a God, or even a divine messenger.  He was born, lived, and died as a human being; just as we are born, live and one day must die.  

The difference between us and Prince Sidharta, the reason we celebrate and revere his life, is that he achieved enlightenment and became Buddha. Put simply, enlightenment is living with the constant awareness and understanding of ourselves and our world, which inturn grows into loving kindness and compassion for all living beings. The Buddha’s enlightenment was the result of sustained and determined effort — human effort. Therefore, we like the Buddha can achieve or at least strive diligently toward the goal of self awareness and enlightenment.

Loving kindness and compassion reduces the world’s suffering and increases its peace and harmony. Peace and harmony and happiness can only be found within ourselves, never outside of ourselves. It always starts with the individual— us — it then flows on to our families, our communities and then to society in general — it even leaps across national and international boundaries.

We are fortunate to live in a land free from turmoil and strife; a land where the Dharma can also be received... We should increase our efforts and strive toward greater inner understanding and thence enlightenment. Life is impermanent and limited.

Thankyou for sharing in our Vesak celebrations, and I hope that you will enjoy the rest of the day’s programme.

Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya  

Buddha's story Competition
Thay Thong Phap asked questions.		Youth group
Monks entered the main hall.
Youth Group performed.
Buddha's story posters
		Take Refuge in Triple Gems