Sunday Times 2
Vesak celebrated around the world
View(s):India
The Maha Bodhi Society of India celebrated Vesak with several events.
London
To celebrate Vesak, the London Eye was lit up with a special design. The light show opened with a representation of the dharma wheel – one of the oldest symbols of Buddhism. Eight gold lights represented the wheel’s eight spokes, signifying the Eightfold Path.
The design then moved into the Enso circle, a sacred symbol in the Zen school of Buddhism, called the circle of enlightenment or the infinity circle. The display ended with the colours of the International Buddhist flag.
Indonesia
Buddhists attend the celebrations of Vesak at the Borobudur temple in Magelang, Central Java province, Indonesia, on Monday. (Reuters)
Berlin
On the full moon day of Vesak this May, the Berlin Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Europe, held many events to celebrate the most siganificant events in the life of the Buddha; the birth of Prince Siddhatha, his enlightenment and his attaintment to parinibbana. This is considered the most sacred day of the year by Buddhists worldover.
A meditation programme was conducted at the Berlin Buddhist Temple with the participation of a large number of Lankans. Events such as Pindapatha Charika and Dansala were featured. Lankans as well as Germans from Thailand, Burma, Bangladesh, China, Argentina and other countries participated.
The Vesak celebrations were attended by four members of the Maha Sangha, including the Chief Incumbent of the Copenhagen Buddhist Temple in Denmark. Sri Lankan Ambassador to Germany Mrs Manori Unamboowe attended with Embassy staff members.
Temple Administrator Mr Tissa Weeraratne organised and conducted the programme.
