This year’s Vesak celebration was held on Sunday 26th May. We were greeted in the early morning by an auspicious rainbow over the cliffs and gullies on the Santi property. Although the weather had turned rather wintery and breezy after a very mild, late autumn, this didn’t dampen the spirits or enthusiasm of the hundred or so supporters who attended this year’s Vesak event.
There were four monastics in attendance – the Santi community of Ayya Nirodha, Jitindriya, and Jayasara – and a welcome visit by the former abbot of Santi, Bhante Sujato. Ayya Jitindriya led the proceedings and invited everyone to reaffirm their commitment to the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, through taking the 3 refuges and 5 precepts.
Bhante Sujato provided some lovely reflections on the importance of connecting with Sangha and remembering we are ‘not alone’ in our devotion and commitment to the Buddha-Dhamma. He reminded us that coming together on days like Vesak can provide much needed support and connection to continue in our practice of the Buddha’s path in our lives, especially if we may be feeling alienated or isolated in these modern times.
Following the anumodana, rice pindapat and a generous lunch/dana offering for all, the afternoon program continued with a circumambulation of the stupa, followed by a Dhamma talk and guided meditation led by Ayya Jitindriya, and Q & A with her and Bhante Sujato, which was well attended and appreciated by all.
With much gratitude to all our supporters who attended on the day, and especially to our stalwart supporters from Dubbo, Sydney and surrounds, who come every year to help set up the decorations, offer dana, and help coordinate the Vesak event. This year the Wakista family from Dubbo also offered a beautiful custom-made Dhammacakka (Dharma-wheel) designed to be mounted on the front of the main building (more to come on this in another post soon…).
The sudden change in the weather on the morning of our Vesak celebration served as another reminder of the Buddha’s teaching on the changing nature of all conditions – their uncertain, unsatisfactory and unstable nature. In honouring the Buddha’s birth, full enlightenment, and parinibbana through the season of Vesak, we can reflect more deeply on the import of these core teachings and remember that the stable Dhamma to be realised remains unaffected and peaceful within the changing conditions of samsara.
May all beings realise the truth and peace of the Unconditioned nature.
Ven. Jayasara