BUDDHA IN AUSTRALIA

Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.

BRISBANE BUDDHAS FESTIVAL

• There are many special or holy days held throughout the year by the Buddhist community. Many of these days celebrate the birthdays of Bodhisattvas in the Mahayana tradition or other significant dates in the Buddhist calendar.
  
• The most significant celebration happens every May on the night of the full moon, when Buddhist all over the world celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha over 2,500 years ago. It has become to be known as Buddha Day.

• Buddhist Festivals are always joyful occasions. Typically on a festival day, lay people will go the the local temple or monastery and offer food to the monks and take the Five Precepts and listen to a Dharma talk. In the afternoon, they distribute food to the poor to make merit and in the evening join perhaps in a ceremony of circumambulation a stupa three time as a sign of respect to the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha. The day will conclude with evening chanting of the Buddha's teachings and meditation.

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY

Dancers Buddha Festival

Lion Dancing

Drums of the Islands

Theme for the festival was
THREE GOOD DEEDS

TAKE GOOD ACTIONS
Proves that actions do speak louder than words so it is important to backup what we say with the right actions.
THINK GOOD THOUGHTS
Shows that it is important to think before we speak or act,as it is important to keep a calm and peaceful mind.
SAY GOOD WORDS
Reminds us to always remember to take care of what we say and speak considerately of others and speak kind words to those we meet.

FESTIVAL OF THE ELEPHANT

The Buddha used the example of a wild elephant which, when it is caught, is harnessed to a tame one to train. In the same way, he said, a person new to Buddhism should have a special friendship of an older Buddhist. To mark this saying, Thais hold an elephant festival on the third Saturday in November.

FESTIVAL OF THE TOOTH

 

Kandy is a beautiful city in Sri Lanka. On a small hill is a great temple which was especially built to house a relic of the Buddha - his tooth. The tooth can never be seen, as it is kept deep inside may caskets. But once a year in August, on the night of the full moon, there is a special procession for it.