Vesak day program 2012
Dear Devotees of the Florida Buddhist Vihara,
The 2012 Vesak Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 19th in Tampa, Florida. The ceremony will begin at 10.30 AM and end at 9.30 PM. Some of the highlights of the day will be observance of Sil, Dhamma sermons in English and Sinhala, a Meditation session. Evening events will include illumination of Vesak lanterns and the Vesak Pandal, singing of Bakthi Geetha (Devotional Songs) and a Bodhi Pooja. The final event of the day, Seth Pirith (Blessing chanting) will begin at 8.30 P.M.
The full program is as follows
10.30 – 11.00 Arrival and Observation of eight precepts.
11.00 – 11.30 Buddha Pooja (Offering to the triple gem)
11.30 – 01.00 Offering of Dana to the monks followed by lunch to the devotees.
01.00 – 02.45 Dhamma sermon and discussion (English)
02.45 – 03.30 Break
03.30 – 04.30 Meditation
04.30 – 04.45 Break
04.45 – 05.45 Dhamma sermon and discussion (Sinhala)
05.45 – 06.45 Break
06.45 – 07.30 Bakthi gee
07.30 – 08.00 Lighting of vesak lanterns
08.00 – 08.30 Bodhi pooja by Venerable A. Dhammajothi
08.30 – 09.00 Pirith chanting
09.00 – 09.30 End of the program
Following events will also take place on Vesak Day:
• Salpila– this will be conducted by the students and teachers of the Sunday School. You are encouraged to bring items such as plants, fresh vegetables, sweetmeats, and short-eats to sell at the Salpila.
• Food Stall– a stall will be set up in the evening for you to purchase hoppers, roti and thosai.
Please note, all proceeds from this event will go toward the Construction Fund of the Florida Buddhist Vihara.
It is encouraged that children bring Vesak lanterns. You may also bring offerings of flowers, candles and dry food rations to the temple. If you want to offer a dhana item to the Monks on this day, please contact the temple. If you have questions/comments, you may reach the temple at 813-621-1337 or 813-313-9784 (cell number).
With Blessings of the Triple Gem!
Venerable Dewananda
Venerable Ananda
Venerable Amitha
