Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival
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10am Sunday 16th of May
Buddha Stage, Federation Square.
The World Peace Blessing Ceremony marks the official proceedings of the annual two day Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival in Federation Square.
It is a unique ceremony conducted by the Abbess Yi Lai of Nan Tien Temple and the Venerables of Fo Guang Shan Melbourne which combines the traditional rituals of the “Bathing of the Buddha” and a ceremony for World Peace.
The ceremony will commence with a colourful welcome by the Chinese Lion, performing a traditional Lion Dance by the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne. It will include a mass offering ceremony by devotees of Fo Guang Shan in traditional dress; traditional Buddhist chanting and messages of well wishes from dignitaries.
The World Peace Blessing Ceremony it is a special celebration, highlighting and promoting cooperation, community understanding and harmony amongst all in our diverse multi-faith and multicultural society.
Fo Guang Shan Melbourne and Buddha’s Light International Association of Victoria hopes you will join us for this unique ceremony for World Peace for all.
The 2009 Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival is proudly supported by the City of Melbourne, Federation Square and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
The Ch’an of Tea, Music and Flower, BMW Edge
The Ch’an of Tea, Music and Flower is a special program of demonstrations and participative sessions in BMW Edge which revolve around the meditative practices of Tai Chi; Ikebana; Tea Ceremony accompanied by the music of the Gu-Zheng – Chinese Zither; Ch’an Meditation and a Fo Guang Shan dharma talk – “The Way to Happiness”.
These five traditional ‘arts’ require the dedication, study and years of training to perfect. Many masters would say decades.
See website for further details www.buddhaday.org.au
The 2009 Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival is proudly supported by the City of Melbourne, Federation Square and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
An Interfaith Prayer Ceremony: The Sharing of Wisdom
3pm Saturday 15th May, Buddha’s Stage
Presented by Fo Guang Shan Melbourne in partnership with The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne.
Upon reflecting on the sentiment of the Buddhist Heart Sutra, a key Buddhist prayer, representatives of other religions and spiritualities have been invited to offer a prayer, which shares the Buddhist themes of Wisdom and the letting go of the Ego.
Together participants will make a Light Offering, for understanding and respect between the peoples of the world’s religious and spiritual traditions.
Introduction: Rev. Helen Summers, The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne
Buddhist Prayer: Venerable Miao Lai, Fo Guang Shan Melbourne
Christian Prayer: Dr Nicholas Coleman, Wesley College
Hindu Prayer: Mohan Krishnan, Vedanta Society of Victoria
Sufi Prayer: Nuria Irene Daly, The Sufi Movement in Australia
The 2009 Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival is proudly supported by the City of Melbourne, Federation Square and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
