activities--Buddha's Birthday Celebration

Verse of Bathing the Buddha

WO	CHIN	KUAN	MU	CHU	JU	LAI
我	今	灌	沐	諸	如	來
We are now coming up to bath Tathagatas
CHING	CHIH	CHUANG	YEN	KUANG	TE	HAI
凈	智	莊	嚴	功	德	海
For the accumulating purity, wisdom, dignity, merit and virtue.
WU	CHO	CHUNG	SHENG	LI	CHEN	KOU
五	濁	眾	生	離	塵	垢
May all sentient beings be rid of impurity
T'UNG	CHENG	JU	LAI	CHING	FA	SHEN
同	證	如	來	凈	法	身
And all realize the pure entity of Tathagatas

2010 Timetable

Date	Venue	Contact No
10-11 April 2010 (Sat-Sun)	Supreme Court Garden, Perth, WA	(08) 9371 0048
30 Apr - 02 May 2010 (Fri-Sun)	South Bank Garden, Brisbane, QLD	(07) 3841-3511
08 - 09 May 2010 (Sat-Sun)	Darling Harbour, Sydney,NSW	(02) 4272 0600
15-16 May 2010 (Sat-Sun)	Federation Square, Melbourne, Vic	(03) 9314 5147
22 May 2010 (Sat)	City Mall,Wollongong, NSW	(02) 4272 0600

The Origin of Buddha’s Day & the Significance of Bathing of the Buddha

Sakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born on April 8th, 623 B.C.E. in accent northern India (now in Nepal) as Prince Siddhartha. Auspicious signs surrounded the Prince’s birth, who with one hand pointed towards the sky and the other towards earth proclaimed: “In heaven and on earth, I am the Supreme One.” Meaning his last birth in the human world was for the purpose of becoming the Buddha, the Awakened One, to be the saviour of all sentient beings.

As a youth, he enjoyed a sheltered and carefree life, until the day he ventured outside the palace. Beyond the palace walls, he found human misery, suffering and unhappiness. Troubled by the encounters, he renounced his family and palace at the age of twenty-nine in search of “the Truth”. After six years of self-cultivation, he attained enlightenments. For the remainder of his life, he travelled extensively around northern India spreading his teachings.

When we come together to celebrate the “Buddha’s Day”, we are celebrating the timeless and universality of Buddha’s teachings. Teachings that foster compassion and joyfulness, encourage freedom of thought and recognize the dignity and potential of the human mind, which are as relevant today as they were 2,500 years ago.

One of the world's greatest scientists, Albert Einstein declared that “if there is any religion that could cope with modern scientific needs, it would be Buddhism”. A former Prime Minister of Australia, Hon. Robert J. L. Hawke, in his book “Simply Living” stated that, “I was never on the point of embracing Buddhism but I found, and still find, it infinitely more satisfying than Judaeo-Christian philosophy”.

As we bathe the statue of Prince Siddhartha with this scoop of holy water in our hands, we shall pray sincerely to be rid of the defilements of greed, hatred and ignorance, so that our body, speech and mind may remain pure. Furthermore, we shall wish for a peaceful and harmonious society that is free from violence, dishonesty or evil. With the merit gained from bathing of the Buddha, may we rid our minds of defilements, and at the same time cleanse and beautify our society and country, transform this land of suffering into one of bliss, and guide the stray and evil minds onto the path of virtue. This is the true meaning of "Bathing of the Buddha".

Buddha’s Birthday Festival at Darling Harbour

Every year when Buddha’s Birthday coming, a great ceremony will be hold to celebrate this special moment. Organised by FGS Nan Tien Temple, its various FGS branches in Sydney and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Sydney, this annual event will be held at Darling Harbour.

With greater public interest and the increasing support of members, devotees and the Darling Harbour Authority, the festival has traditionally been held as a two-day event.

There will be an international vegetarian fair, bringing culinary delights from China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, India, Malaysia and other nations on the festival. The day will also feature traditional and modern music and dance performances from China, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Vietnam, Australia and other countries.

In addition, the programme for the two days will introduce other religious and cultural activities for people’s pleasure and experience such as:

• Bathing of the Buddha and Purification of Our Minds
• Blessing Ceremony for World Peace
• Wishing Bell
• Complimentary medical consultation
• Buddhist books and art gift shop
• Art and craft workshops

On the second day, the “Buddha’s Day”, will be celebrated with a special blessing service in the morning, followed by the Buddha’s Bathing ritual. All guests’ presence at this auspicious function will be most valued.

The Merits of Offerings

Flower Offering: Flowers are beautiful and fragrant, yet their splendour will not last forever. Thus, illustrating the impermanence of all beings. May we radiate the beauty of flowers, bringing pleasantness to others in our journey to find the Truth.

Incense Offering: Aromatic incense purifies the atmosphere as well as the mind. Just as its fragrance travels afar, so do good deeds extend for the benefit of all. Burning incense also embodies the phenomena of transience and dissolution. May we enjoy purity of body and mind, thus able to receive the wisdom of the Dharma.

Light Offering: Light extinguishes darkness in the same way that wisdom dispels ignorance. May our eyes be radiant and bright with the ability to possess right views.

Fruit Offering: Fruit represents the result of our spiritual cultivation and helps us be mindful of the law of cause and effect. May we be free of any misfortunate on our path to Buddhahood.