Ajahn Satit, the monk from Buddhist temple in Albury has taken a part in the organising committee of the Australian Observance of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2012. Vesak Day was recognized as a United Nations Day of international observance to be celebrated each year by the UN and its member countries. In Australia we had the first celebration at Sydney Town Hall in 2007.

The Australian Observance of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2007, Sydney Town Hall

During the month of May, there is one significant day for all Buddhists called Vesak or the Buddha’s Day. Thousands of people will join together to commemorate the Birth, the Enlightenment and the Passing away of the Buddha.

Buddhist temples normally have the cerebration of Vesak every year in their temples according to the traditions. The Australian Observance of the United Nations Day of Vesak is for all Buddhist traditions to join hand and celebrating Vesak together as an official celebration at the national level. It is the time that Buddhists come together, meet and get to know and understand each other better. Buddhists from different traditions may have their own way of celebrating the occasion and on this particular day they will have a chance to express their way to the audiences from other traditions as well. It is becoming an inspiring annual event that Buddhist monks from all traditions come together on stage for chanting. This picture shows the unity of the Sangha that will work together towards peace in Australia.

It is also a good time for general public, Buddhist or non-Buddhist to participate in this joyful cerebration and gain better understand of Buddhism from various traditions.

The Australian Observance of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2010
The Great Hall, Parliament House, 26 May, 2010

Since the second Australian Observance of the United Nations Day of Vesak  was organised in Melbourne in 2008, the Victorian Buddhist community decided to have United Nations Day of Vesak – Victoria Observance each year. While the Observance at the national level continues to be held in Sydney except in 2010 which was held in Canberra.

United Nations Day of Vesak Victoria 2011, Melbourne Town Hall

To be part of the Buddhist unity in commemorate the auspicious day of all the Buddhists, Wat Buddhavongsayaram as the only Buddhist community on the NSW/VIC border would like to encourage Buddhists at the border to participate in United Nations Day of Vesak – Victoria Observance on May 12, 2012 at Melbourne Town Hall and The Australian Observance of the United Nations Day of Vesak on May 27, 2012 at Sydney Town Hall.