Wesak Celebration News

Our theme this year is “Bodhi, a Celebration of Enlightenement”. We will be marking this theme with a talk by Dharmacari Smritiratna, resident teacher at Dhanakosa Buddhist Retreat Centre, who will be bringing out the devotional  and richly inspiring elements of the Buddha’s Enlightenment.  You can find a bit more about Dharmacari here.

This year’s programme is a departure from our traditional format of symposium and questions, taking a fresh approach to how we celebrate Wesak together.

For more details please see our Programme page.

Welcome to Wesak Glasgow 2010!

On the 29th of May 2010 Buddhist groups from across Glasgow will come together at The Hidden Gardens in Glasgow for Wesak, the celebration of The Buddha’s Enlightenment. Wesak is the most important festival of the Buddhist year and celebrated as close to the full moon of May as the calendar allows.

On the day there will be a a variety of activities such as meditation, storytelling, drumming workshop.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you to everyone for coming to Wesak this year. Please come and see a selection of photos taken on the day.

Wesak lantern making –celebrations on Sat 16.

Hi everyone there will be a wesak lantern making event at at 6.30 at
Scotland’s Vihara, on Friday 15 th on the evening before the wesak. Bring lanterns you make to the Wesak.
1 Caldercuilt Road
Glasgow
G20 0AD
141 586 74 93
Suitable for under 9’s or there abouts.

http://scotlandbuddhistvihara.blogspot.com/2009/05/wesak-lantern-making-workshop-for.html

Lynne Hardbattle  is part of One Bright Star  which is constantly involved with childrens workshops at various Glasgow Museums venues. These workshops have included bead making and storytelling. Lynn has also been invited to speak at a variety of charitable, business and social functions. 

Lynn was introduced to the people of the Kalahair and upon seeing the poor situations they were living in, Lynn asked what can I do to help improve life for these women. They designed and handcrafted beautiful jewellery from Ostrich Eggshells. She talked to the women about ‘Fairtrade’ and would this be something they would consider. Lynn is now a spokesperson and promoter for the Bushman women, under the title of One Bright Star, a significant symbol to the Bushman. The organisation has been ongoing since then.

Monies made from selling and speaking to groups go forward to purchase further jewellery and also for a further education program for any children showing promise and help them achieve their dreams.

One Bright Star. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .for hope in the Kalahari.

Take a look at the programme for details of when to catch the storytelling at this years Wesak.  

At this years Wesak we are very happy to have storytelling from Pat Dakin of the Lanarkshire storytellers. 

Pat has been a member of Lanarkshire Storytellers for a number of years and has recently been involved in an EU funded scheme for retired people, which links Scotland with Latvia and Germany.  This involved trips to both these countries and meeting their storytellers.

Pat, a former teacher, particularly likes storytelling with children and likes traditional stories from around the world. It links up with her work on Strathaven’s Fairtrade Committee, which involves fairness for Third World producers.  Many traditional stories have a moral  and universal lesson and there are lots of tales of fairness and justice, often with a comical twist at the end!

Check the programme here  to see when you can see Pat at Wesak.

Was Pan a buddhist? No idea. Was Pan real? Again not a scooby but he did own a Ford Labyrinth, which was really good turning corners.

Last year was my first visit to the Wesak day at the Hidden Gardens. An aptly named venue as it turned out I’ve driven past them for years without noticing them. It was a lovely day that I remember with a broad smile. My (now) wife joined me and took part in the meditation sessions, her first time meditating. The food was excellent and of course we met loads of great people. It’s firmly in our calendar this year and we’ll see you there. BTW I’m planning to take part in the drumming (for all ages) workshop this time even if it raises the average age of participants significantly.

Much metta.

Ken

This is our 5^th year and the day runs on generosity, goodwill and the help of lots of volunteers. It looks like we will have to raise about £500 to cover the costs. Remember the delicious curry lunch is provided freely by The Sri Lankan community, cakes by the FWBO and soup by Rokpa – 3 courses in all! Eating together is just the best thing for generating harmony and mutual understanding between the different groups.

Any offers gratefully received

Be well

Ross

I was on the FWBO stall for much of last year’s event, sitting next to Karl on the Cloud Water stall. It was a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with a lots of comings and goings. In the quiet spells I carried on with my knitting, which is also a good conversation starter when you’re sitting at a stall!

One year on, my clearest memories of the day are: the opening ceremony with chanting led by Bhante Rewatta, Shantiketu and Karl; eating lovely food while sheltering from the rain; rainbows and brightness after the downpour; the garden shrine; the “Dana” symposium on the theme of giving.

It was an emotionally warm day, if a bit chilly and wet at times. The presence of the children is always one of the best elements in my opinion, bringing delight, energy and colour. I’m looking forward to this year’s event and I may even bring my knitting. Sabbe satta sukhi hontu.

Dassini 30/03/09

Everyone here at KSDG is looking forward to the celebration on the 16^th and the opportunity to meet old friends and make some new ones Mae