vesak celebration @ deer park monastery (5/22)

Nam Mo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya
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Dear Friends,

During the month of May, Buddhists throughout the world remember and celebrate the Manifestation Day (Vesak Day) of our Great Teacher, the Buddha Shakyamuni - the Enlightened One, the one who found the wonderful path of compassion and understanding.

The Four-fold Sangha of Deer Park Monastery will hold a special Day of Mindfulness on Sunday, 2 2 nd of May, 2005. It is also the full moon day of the month, so we invite you to come that Saturday evening to enjoy walking meditation under the full moon and stay for the night to participate on the Sunday. On Sunday, we will practice sitting meditation together, chanting, and touching the Earth. There will be a special ceremony which includes chanting, paying respect to our ancestors, and �bathing the Buddha', beginning at 9:00 am followed by a dharma talk. We will enjoy a silent lunch at noon and a tea meditation together afterwards.

Please bring your family and children. If you are staying over Saturday night, please inform Norman in the office (760)291-1003.

Introductory Words

Two thousand six hundred years ago in the town of Kapilavastu , a Buddha known as Shakyamuni was born. He was a human being just as we are, but in him understanding and love were developed to a very high degree, and he became a fully awakened being. He was a beautiful and precious flower in the garden of humanity, an udumbara flower that blooms only once every three thousand years. He practiced the Way for countless lives. He appeared on this Earth as a prince who left his royal palace to practice at the foot of the Bodhi Tree. He conquered illusion. When the morning star arose, he realized the great path of awakening and turned the wheel of the Dharma. With single-mindedness, all species aspire to experience the path free from birth. With single-mindedness, all species will experience a path free from birth.
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Praising the Buddha

The Buddha is like the fresh, full moon
that soars across the immense sky.
When the river of mind is truly calm,
the moon is reflected perfectly
upon the surface of the deep waters.
The countenance of the World-Honored One,
like the full moon or like the orb of the sun,
shines with the light of clarity,
a halo of wisdom spreading in every direction,
enveloping all with love, compassion, joy, and equanimity.
The inexhaustible virtues of the World-Honored One
cannot be adequately praised.
We gather on this day as a fourfold Sangha,
come to the altar, meditate and chant,
praise the virtuous actions of the Buddha, and offer this prayer:
May the path of the Buddha grow brighter.
May the Dharma become clearer.
May wind and rain be favorable.
May this country be at peace in the cities and rural areas.
May all follow the way of right practice.
May nature be safe. May people in society be free and equal.
May the refreshing breeze of compassion enter into this world of heat,
allowing the sun of wisdom to shine clearly in the cloudy sky
so that the path of liberation is appreciated everywhere
and the Dharma rain falls, benefiting all species.
May the Sangha that is present here practice diligently,
showing concern and love for each other
as they would for their own family,
transforming their consciousness.
We aspire to follow the example
of the Bodhisattvas Samantabhadra and Avalokiteshvara
and all other Bodhisattva Mahasattvas
and the Great Perfection of Wisdom.

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa

source: www.deerparkmonastery.org