Vesak celebrations in Canberra

May 23, 2016

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Australia celebrated the Vesak festival on Saturday 21st May with the participation of the Venerable Maha Sangha from the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple and the Sri Lankan community. The event was also an occasion to encourage donations towards emergency flood relief assistance in Sri Lanka.

The celebrations commenced with a Buddhist sermon and chanting of pirith by the Venerable Maha Sangha who also offered blessings to the people affected by the floods and landslides in Sri Lanka.

The High Commission staff presented Vesak bhakthi gee to the accompaniment of music by the Nada Roo Music Group from Canberra, which was the highlight of the event.

High Commissioner Skandakumar in his welcome address thanked the Maha Sangha for their prayers on behalf of all those who had suffered extensively on account of the recent devastating events in Sri Lanka. He observed that the floods and landslides had affected people from all walks of life and not by caste, creed or ethnicity. He appealed to all to abide by the profound teachings of Lord Buddha, and to come together as the United Sri Lankan Diaspora of Australia to serve our motherland as one. He added that on such an auspicious day there could not be a finer tribute to Lord Buddha’s teachings than our sincere commitment to his pronouncement “Loka Samastah Sukhino Bavantu “-May All Beings Be Happy – reminding those present that we were without exception children of a common Mother Sri Lanka as reflected in our National Anthem.

The High Commissioner concluded by paying a tribute to the Nadaroo Music Group and the Mission Staff for an outstanding rendering of Vesak bhakthi gee and thanked the community for their presence and participation.

The High Commission was colourfully decorated and illuminated with Vesak lanterns and Buddhist flags. A leaflet explaining the significance of Vesak was distributed to those coming to see the decorations throughout the weekend. The Sri Lankan community highly appreciated the beautiful decorations which brought the spirit of Vesak to Canberra and the bhakthi gee presented by the Mission staff.

Sri Lanka High Commission
Canberra,

Australia.

 

23rd May 2016