Plan B Forum

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Joy Burch today welcomed the exposition of Lord Buddha's relics at the Belconnen Arts Centre, a rare opportunity for Canberrans to view the sacred items before they are preserved in a Sydney Shrine.

The bodily relics of Lord Buddha were escorted to the Belconnen Arts Centre by traditional Sri Lankan dancers and drummers on Vesak Day - the celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing away.

"Each of these events, as they occurred in the Buddha's life, took place during the full moon in May, when the festival is now celebrated," Ms Burch said.

Ms Burch joined the President of the Buddhist Federation of Australia, Most Venerable Phrapalad Sudhammo, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr Senaka Walgampaya, PC and the Ambassador of Thailand, H.E. Dr Kriangsak Kittichaisaree, to welcome the rare, religious relics.

The relics will be on display at the Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in Kambah from 9am to 9pm tomorrow and Saturday. Ms Burch urged all Canberrans to attend and learn more the sacred relics, which are believed to be fragments of Buddha's bones and more than 2500 years old, before they moved on to another city as part of the national tour.

"Although other Buddhist relics have been shown in Australia, this is the first time Australia will permanently house such valuable relics."

The relics were provided as gifts from two temples inSri Lanka to theMost Venerable Sudhammo, who is the Assistant Abbot of the Dhammakaya Temple in Thailand and President of the Buddhist Federation of Australia.

"I would like thank the Thai and Sri Lankan Governments for supporting the housing of such rare and valuable relics in Australia, and for choosing Canberra as the launch point for their national tour."

http://www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/media.php?v=9576

n Vesākha day, devout Buddhists and followers alike are expected and requested to assemble in their various temples before dawn for the ceremonial, and honorable, hoisting of the Buddhist flag and the singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings), and The Sangha (his disciples). Devotees may bring simple offerings of flowers, candles and joss-sticks to lay at the feet of their teacher. These symbolic offerings are to remind followers that just as the beautiful flowers would wither away after a short while and the candles and joss-sticks would soon burn out, so too is life subject to decay and destruction. Devotees are enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day