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Kathin Ceremony 2000
Melbourne Thai Buddhist Temple Inc.
489 Elgar Rd., Box Hill VIC 3128. Ph: (03) 9899 0883
Date: Saturday, 11th November
Time: 9.00am-12.00pm
Venue: St. Leo International College, No.1 Hay St., Box Hill South
(Melway map 61, ref. F1)
Notes: Kathin is a ceremony that marks the end of the Rains
Retreat. It involves, among other things, the offering of robes
to monks by the lay people. This year's ceremony is to be honoured
by the presence of 28 senior monks from Thailand, Queensland and
Melbourne.
Buddha
Relics Exposition in Melbourne
29 to 31 October 2000
Buddhaloka Vihara, Buddhist Society of Victoria
71-73 Darling Road, East Malvern, Vic. 3145
Ph: (03) 9571 6409
Time: 1.00-3.00pm & 7.00-9.00pm (Sun, 29th),
9.00-11.00am, 1.00-3.00pm & 7.00-9.00pm (Mon, 30th & Tue, 31th)
The bodily relics of the Buddha and other noble disciples are sacred
objects of veneration for Buddhists. The relics mark a physical
presence of the Buddha. They provide great inspiration for one to
walk the noble and truly peaceful way of life.
The Buddha relics from Sravasti, the ancient capital of the Kingdom
of Kosala, in India are enshrined at the Nava Jetavana Viharaya
just opposite the archaeological site of the ancient Jetavana Monastery
where the Buddha and his chief disciples spent nineteen Rains. The
Buddha also spent another six Rains at another monastery, the Pubbarama
which is also situated in Sravasti.
These relics are currently under the charge of the chief incumbent
of the Nava Jetavana Monastery, the Venerable. Dr. K. Chandaratana
Nayaka Thera who is also the Chief High Priest of India. Prior to
that, the late Venerable M. Sangharatana Nayaka Thera had received
the relics from the Anagarika Dharmapala, a great missionary from
Sri Lanka and founder of the Maha Bodhi Society in India.
These sacred relics have been venerated by thousands of pilgrims
to Buddha Gaya where the Buddha attained Enlightenment. They have
also been venerated in relic expositions held in Singapore, Sri
Lanka and the United Kingdom.
The relic exposition will be held at the Aloka Meditation Centre
at Peats Ridge in the Central Coast of NSW from October 21 to 23.
The relics will then be taken to Canberra where the exposition will
be held at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Vihara at No. 30 Jenke Circuit,
Kambah ACT 2902 from October 24 to 25. The relics will return to
the Aloka Meditation Centre on Oct 26 and will remain until Oct
28 before proceeding to Melbourne. From Oct 29 to Oct 31, the relic
exposition will be held at the Buddhaloka Vihara at No. 71-73, Darling
Road, East Malvern, Vic. 3145 under the auspices of the Buddhist
Society of Victoria.
We wish to express our grateful thanks to Ven. Dr. K. Chandaratana
Nayaka Thera and his pupil Ven E. Indaratana Thera, the chief incumbent
of the Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Penang, Malaysia, for making
the necessary arrangements to bring the relics to Australia.
Picnic at the Royal Botanic Gardens
We are pleased to invite you to an outdoor social activity, ie
a picnic :), where we can enjoy the spoils of spring - come rain,
come sunshine. It's a time for us to relax and enjoy the company
of like-minded people in the beautiful environment of the Royal
Botanic Gardens of Melbourne.
Date: Saturday 30th September 2000
Time: 11.00am
Venue: William Tell Rest House inside Royal Botanic Gardens,
Birdwood Ave., South Yarra 3000
Things to bring:
1) yourself
2) some food for all to share
3) picnic mat/cloth (if you have)
4) maybe some wet weather clothing or an umbrella
We will meet in front of the Shrine of Remembrance
(near the flame) at 10.30am. For those who don't know where the
location is, it's near Tram Stop 18 on St Kilda Road (in front of
the Victoria Barracks) and if you're coming from the city end, it's
on your left-hand side or on the side where there are lots of grass
and trees, etc. If you wish to go directly to the Botanic Gardens
yourselves, you are most welcome to do so.
Please RSVP as soon as possible as we need to know
exactly who is coming and also what food you're bringing so that
we don't end up with lots of chocolate cakes :). Hope to see you
there!
Chasing
Buddha
"Chasing Buddha" - a film by Amiel Courtin-Wilson
Former Catholic, communist and militant feminist, Robina Courtin
has been a Buddhist nun for over twenty years. Teaching Buddhism
to prison inmates in penitentiaries across the United States, Robina
shatters the stereotype of a Buddhist - her aggressive style leaving
an indellible impression on everyone she meets. In the heart of
America's bible belt, Robina visits Kentucky State Penitentiary
to lead a group of death row inmates on the path to enlightenment.
Determined to harness their minds and deal with their violent crimes,
the inmates inspire Robina to work even harder at her own rigorous
spiritual practice. Constantly travelling, Robina faces her sacrifices
as a nun - unravelling the traumatic events which first lead her
to Buddhism in 1977. Chasing Buddha is the intimate portrait
of one woman's relentless search for inner peace.
"I have many lives in the future- I'm not afraid of missing anything."
- Robina Courtin
A new documentary feature from Go Group, for more
information visit http://www.gogroup.com.au/buddha.html
Exclusive limited season commencing September 7 at the NOVA (380,
Lygon St., Carlton., Vic, (03) 9347 5331)
Potluck Night 2000
"Potluck" is a term used by Malaysian/Singaporean students
(although I have been told that it's used by Americans too - Editor)
to mean a sharing of food amongst friends at one of the friend's
house where each participant brings a dish of his/her own. This
year's potluck night was the society's first and was aimed at promoting
social interaction and fellowship among our members. Many thanks
to all the members who made it a success and also special thanks
to Adeline Yang, Antoni Sim, Sze Kei Chang, Shanaka Perera, Chiew
Sim and Mei Khing Ong for their efforts in organising and publicising
it.
Date: Friday, 1st September 2000
Time: 7.30-10pm
Venue: Reception area at College Square, 570 Lygon St
Food to bring: Buy, make or cook any type of food or drinks
with the proviso that there is no beef or alcohol.
Banner Painting
This year the society decided to create a new banner replacing
the well-worn but much loved banner created in 1993 (the original
1992 one was lost). The new banner contains the logo (in the top
left-hand corner of every society web page) that was designed about
4 years ago and which is now our official logo. Many metta to all
who helped out.
Date: Monday, 14th August
Time: 10am - 6pm (or earlier if possible)
Venue: Student Resource Centre, 3rd flr, Union House
Notes: Please come whenever you can in between your lessons. Every
little bit of help is important and much appreciated. If you've
got any doubts about the timings or the arrangements, please feel
free to contact Adeline at adeyang@yahoo.com.
Wesak Day Celebrations
Wesak is one of the most important day on the Buddhist calendar
for all Buddhists around the world. It's the celebration of the
birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha and occurs on the full
moon day of May. This year members of the society participated in
the Wesak Day celebrations at the Buddhist Society of Victoria.
Many thanks to Mark Tu for organising the successful event.
Date: Sunday, 21th May
Place: Buddhist Society of Victoria, 71-73 Darling Rd, East
Malvern 3145
Time: 8:10am
Meeting Location: Melbourne University Swanson Street tram
stop (at the intersection of Swanson St. and Faraday Rd.)
Things to bring (optional): Vegetarian food or fruits
Program: (You do not have to attend the activities for the
whole day.)
8.30am Observance of Precepts
8.45am Silent Meditation
9.30am Dhamma Talk
10.30am Offering of Dana to the Sangha, followed by Lunch for those
undertaking Sila and a shared meal for all participants. The afternoon
program may be subject to change. A tentative schedule is as follows:
1.00pm Walking meditation
2.00pm Dhamma discussion
3.00pm Silent Meditation
3.30pm Afternoon Tea
4.00pm Dhamma Talk
5.00pm Gilan Pasa and Sharing of Merits
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