Vesak 2009

The Australian Observance of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2009
Olympic Park on Friday, 8th May, 2009

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The United Nations Day of Vesak 2009 was observed in Sydney at the state Sports Center, Sydney Olympic Park on Triday, 8th May, 2009.

Vesak is the most important occasion in the Buddhist calendar, being the commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha on the full moon in May. Vesak Day was declared to be an internationally important day on 13rd December 1999 by the United Nations. This proposal, from the High Commissioner for SriLanka, was endorsed by all Buddhist countries. Today we affirm and celebrate this declaration throughout the world.

This affirmation and celebration was attended by the senior Sangha of many Buddhist traditions, other sangha, distinguished guests and members of the public.

A welcoming speech was given by Venerable Sudhammo  Bhikkhu,

Spiritual Director and President of the 60th Dhammachai Education Foundation of Australia and New Zealand.

A talk on the significance of Vesak was given by The Most Venerable Thich Bao Lac, Vice President of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in Australia.  The enlightenment of the buddha was then recalled by a candle lighting ceremony, led by Ven. Sudhammo Bhikkhu, Thich Bao Lac and Geshe Dawa   Ven. Sudhammo then took guided  meditation for all present, culminating in loving kindness meditation  which was dedicated for world peace.

As there are many Buddhist chants for Buddhists all over the world, a vision to promote a common Buddhist Chanting was put forward some years ago. The Buddhist Federation of Australia has produced the common Buddhist Chanting was put forward some years ago.

The buddhist Federation of Australia has produced the Common Buddhist Chanting. The music for this was created by Mr. Winet Watthanapong and Pancasikha Musicians from Thailand. The Common Buddhist Chanting for this Vesak celebration was led by Mr. Howard McCrary, with great support from ‘Tawandhamma’ The Hon. Laurie Ferguson, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services gave a speech with his best wishes that Vesak be one of great joy and harmony.  This was followed by a speech by Mr. Richard Towle from the United Nations Information Centre for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.  Mr. Howard Mccrary, an American musician, singer, entertainer and actor, sang songs of peace with the Australian Buddhist singers, then sang his own song, ‘You and I are one’.

Helena Kjaer, youth representative of the 60th dhammachai Education Foundation, sang ‘Sharing is Great’ and other songs throughout the evening. The launching of The Young Australian Peace Prize was announced by Ven. Suddhammo Bhikkhu. This is to be an annual prize for the work of young people between the ages of 12-21 for work in the community in the area of violence, use of drugs and alcohol. There is to be a prize of $A10,000 plus gift and entitlements, to assist in their peace work over the following year to be ararded each Australia Day,

on 26th January. Award were then presented for the Australian

‘peace in Action Contest’ in Australia was in spired and derived form a book named ‘The Family Day by Day’. It is open to people of all ages, races, religions and nationalities, This contest is aimed at helping all individuals to develop and raise awareness within themselves and to pass on the same message to other people. These awards were presented by

Dr Edward F. Crangle, Department of studies in Religion, the university of   Sydney, and Mr Peter Scully, Principal of Toongabbie Public School.

The first Prize winners of a plaque, Certificate and A$1000 were  Wichai Thongthanawat, Danielle Thongthanawat and Jussica Thongthanawat Vesak is an appropriate time for Buddhists to practice generosity and an offering of requisites by the participants was made to the Sangha on the platform on behalf of the 60th Dhammachai Education Foundation and Dhammakaya International Society of Australia.

A vote of thanks to all those who worked hard to produce this great evening was given by Henry Dang, J.P., Deputy Chairman of the Organising  Committee.  To close the ceremony, Mr.Howard Mccrary sang a song he wrote especially for this occasion, ‘Peace for Australia’