Buddha Day draws thousands to Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Botany
Fo Guang ShanMonastery celebrated the multicultural day last Sunday in Flatbush Botany, Auckland. Every year the celebration takes place during the 3rd weekend of April at Auckland's largest Buddhist Monastery remembering the Great Buddha and his teachings in the world.
Buddha is widely known as the messenger of peace and brotherhood and the founder of Buddhism that is adopted by millions in the world.
The multicultural day at the Fo Guang Shan Monastery was one of a kind with a huge footfall of men, women and especially children of different cultures. The program started with a short dance performance by small school going kids on traditional Chinese music and then followed by performances by other ethnic groups.
The one thing that caught every one’s attention was the open house where a replica of a tree, Buddha and a lady was made all with balloons. Besides that there was a Buddhist arts and craft exhibition adjacent to the cafe which is renowned for its Chinese tea, and traditional cafe items from China. There were also monks in the gardens who were leading the prayers and speaking to the audience at the venue, giving them knowledge about the monastery and the religion.
One of the rooms showcased an animated film of Buddha’s life and how he attained Nirvana after years of meditation under the Bodhi tree in Gaya a place in the Indian subcontinent. The monastery has a vast open garden with stoned grounds and aligned puzzle shaped grass line with a long podium on which laid a small wooden dome with incense sticks.
Inside the main section of the temple was a huge idol of Buddha in the centre with hundred of knee chairs, and the walls had one of the most splendid covers. All corners of the main temple wall were filled with more than 10000s of semi transparent Buddha frames with lights glowing from inside. Just outside the temple door on either corner were another giant bell with a knocking log and a huge drum on the other end amongst the red Chinese lanterns.
Asian food stalls were at the venue and popular with many. An Indian performing group along with the others added the flavour to the day. There was also a fancy dress competition for children who were dressed up like Buddha and other prince and princesses from Asian countries. The venue also housed face painting, bouncing castle, tattoo making, balloon crafting, free medical check- ups etc. The venue itself had an ambience of absolute peace and harmony, and that was the message of the Buddha Day celebration.
Fo Guang ShanMonastery celebrated the multicultural day last Sunday in Flatbush Botany, Auckland. Every year the celebration takes place during the 3rd weekend of April at Auckland's largest Buddhist Monastery remembering the Great Buddha and his teachings in the world.
Buddha is widely known as...
Fo Guang ShanMonastery celebrated the multicultural day last Sunday in Flatbush Botany, Auckland. Every year the celebration takes place during the 3rd weekend of April at Auckland's largest Buddhist Monastery remembering the Great Buddha and his teachings in the world.
Buddha is widely known as the messenger of peace and brotherhood and the founder of Buddhism that is adopted by millions in the world.
The multicultural day at the Fo Guang Shan Monastery was one of a kind with a huge footfall of men, women and especially children of different cultures. The program started with a short dance performance by small school going kids on traditional Chinese music and then followed by performances by other ethnic groups.
The one thing that caught every one’s attention was the open house where a replica of a tree, Buddha and a lady was made all with balloons. Besides that there was a Buddhist arts and craft exhibition adjacent to the cafe which is renowned for its Chinese tea, and traditional cafe items from China. There were also monks in the gardens who were leading the prayers and speaking to the audience at the venue, giving them knowledge about the monastery and the religion.
One of the rooms showcased an animated film of Buddha’s life and how he attained Nirvana after years of meditation under the Bodhi tree in Gaya a place in the Indian subcontinent. The monastery has a vast open garden with stoned grounds and aligned puzzle shaped grass line with a long podium on which laid a small wooden dome with incense sticks.
Inside the main section of the temple was a huge idol of Buddha in the centre with hundred of knee chairs, and the walls had one of the most splendid covers. All corners of the main temple wall were filled with more than 10000s of semi transparent Buddha frames with lights glowing from inside. Just outside the temple door on either corner were another giant bell with a knocking log and a huge drum on the other end amongst the red Chinese lanterns.
Asian food stalls were at the venue and popular with many. An Indian performing group along with the others added the flavour to the day. There was also a fancy dress competition for children who were dressed up like Buddha and other prince and princesses from Asian countries. The venue also housed face painting, bouncing castle, tattoo making, balloon crafting, free medical check- ups etc. The venue itself had an ambience of absolute peace and harmony, and that was the message of the Buddha Day celebration.
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