Australian UN Day of Vesak 2008 (BE 2551)

UN Day of Vesak, Melbourne 2008

Thank you to all...

This year the Australian Observance of the United Nations Day for Vesak was held in Melbourne for the first time in the culturally-diverse City of Greater Dandenong.

I would like to thank all those who supported this event, invited guests and donors, volunteers and members of the public who attended the official celebration on 19 May 2008 at Springvale City Hall.

The Organising Committee's aim was to spread the Buddha’s message of peace, goodwill and compassion to the wider community and to enhance already existing relationships between Buddhist centres in Melbourne. And we trust this was achieved with your help.

Although it did not stop our commemoration of Vesak, our prayers and merit on this auspicious occassion is dedicated to those who are suffering from violence and natural disasters in other parts of the world.

Importantly, as always the observance of Vesak provides a perfect platform to share the Buddha’s teachings and celebrations with the wider community.

Looking forward to meeting you all again next year, 2009

Ven. Thich Thien Tam
Chair, Organising Committee

"Sustaining our Community: Sustaining our Earth"

The theme of this event is based around mindfully respecting our mother nature; within our own being and externally what nourishes us and our environment. Through mindfullness we realise the interdependant nature of those around us: our actions and thoughts and the balance of consequence towards others. It is also a celebration of the multicultural richness of our communities in coming together to celebrate this one common auspicious event called Vesak in the Buddhist Calender.