Vesak Day Celebration (วิสาขบูชา)

(Day of Birth, Enlightenment and Nirvana of Lord Buddha)
วันประสูติ ตรัสรู้ และปรินิพพาน ของพระสัมมาสัมพุทธเจ้า

On Tuesday 17th May 2011 (2554 B.E.)
วันอังคารที่ 17 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2554

At the Johannesburg Meditation Centre (JMC), Midrand
วัดพระธรรมกายโจฮันเนสเบิร์ก (มิดแรนด์)

Presided by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka
ท่านทูตศรีลังกา  เป็นประธานในพิธี

 

Schedule (กำหนดการ)

 

18.00    Gathering  สาธุชนทยอยมาถึงวัด.

18.30     Lighting Lanterns. Opening speech by the High Commissioner.
.              จุดประทีป. ท่านทูตศรีลังกา กล่าวเปิดงาน.

18.45    Speech by Ven. Somsak: Importance of Vesak Day
.             (on the occasion of 2,600 years of the enlightenment of Lord Buddha).
.              พระอาจารย์เทศน์ถึงความสำคัญของวันวิสาขบูชา.

19.00    Offering flowers to Lord Buddha & Chanting. บูชาดอกไม้.

19.30     Speech by Ven. Somsak. พระธรรมเทศนา.

19.45    Meditation. ปฏิบัติธรรม.

20.15    Vesak Candle Light Ceremony. Circumambulation. เวียนเทียน.

20.45    Refreshment. End.  อาหารว่าง. สาธุชนทยอยกลับ.

Please wear white as a symbol to the tradition of peace.
กรุณาแต่งกายสีขาว อันเป็นสัญลักษณ์และวัฒนธรรมของานบุญ.

 

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Vesak Candlelight in Homage to Lord Buddha

The full moon night of Vesak marks the greatest celebration on earth. Prince Siddhartha came to be born on earth with the purpose of enlightenment. He was born to be the light of the world on which all sentient beings have been suffering in the never-ending samsara.

This is the first joy of the Vesak Day!

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The Prince was soon to ascend the throne. At the age of 29 — just after the new-born son got delivered — he renounced all the royal might. After 6 years in search of the righteous path to enlightenment, the Middle Path was revealed to Him in His meditation. After attaining the Dhammakaya on the full moon night of Vesak, Prince Siddhartha became the first Enlightened One, thus, the Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha is the supreme person of no defilement. Countless number of devas and humans gained enlightenment after practicing his dhamma teachings.

This is the second joy of the Vesak Day!

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The world was bright with the light of peace from his teachings. People of all castes had equal chance to get inner peace. For 45 years since the Enlightenment, it had been a period of peace of humanity. Lord Buddha is so supreme and unparalleled by any master in human history.

 

Only a tiny fraction of His wisdom…
Will make us the most intelligent person on earth.

Only a tiny fraction of His purity…
Will make us the most flawless person on earth.

Only a tiny fraction of His compassion…
Will make us the most beloved person on earth.

 

 

On the exact full moon day of Vesak — 45 years after His enlightenment — He passed away with utmost serenity. His teachings remain the light of peace for all beings. The dhamma is timeless. As long as one practices the dhamma, one can still attain enlightenment. Lord Buddha has left the greatest spiritual treasure for countless generations to enjoy.

This is the third joy of the Vesak Day!

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This year Vesak Day falls on Tuesday 17th May 2011. At the Johannesburg Meditation Centre (JMC), South Africa, the Celebration of Vesak will witness peoples of all walks of life — those peaceseekers alike. The Candlelight in homapge to Lord Buddha on the day of His Birth, Enlightenment and Nirvana will be peaceful and radiating in every mind of those who attend.

This is the forth joy of the Vesak Day!

 

The evening celebration is breathtaking yet very peaceful. In the Buddhist culture, circumambulation is a way to express respect to the holy one. Peace lovers gather for one shared goal: peace.

Candles on hand, the humble mind worships the Lord Buddha. Bring about the light in front to shine inside the mind. Meditate along with the chanting song. Carry forward with you the light of peace to share…

This is another joy of the Vesak Day!

 

 

 

The latest 39th electronic issue of the Thai – South African Newsletter is now out for online view and download.  Enjoy the following highlights:

• Special conversation with Peter Knesovich who spent 2 years on the wheelchair after a severe road accident. Now he runs the growing Kyalami International Movers!

• Sunday School at JMC is ongoing and popular.

• Gambling tips: How to quit gambling.

• 100 Grade-10 students from St. John’s College (Houghton) gave a day visit to JMC (Johannesburg Meditation Centre), Halfway House, Midrand, as part of their Interfaith Excursion. ‘Meditation‘ and ‘Q & A on Buddhism‘ fulfilled their quest.

• Introduction to a personal computer.

• Coming soon: a Thai food cooking class.

• Thailand’s general election is around the corner.

• THAI Airways ‘HOT’ Promotions throughout the year!!!

• Gossips and much more….

 

Download the electronic copy here:

http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/y9n3ap

 

Older issues can be retrieved here:

http://www.peaceforafrica.org/newsletter

 

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The Volume 38 of the local  Thai – South African Newsletter is now available for download. It reports what happens around town in South Africa.

 

Highlight of this issue:

• Unseen museum of classic cars in Midrand. John Bird was put as “King of Cats” by an automobile magazine. An exclusive interview reveals the Unseen Mind of the King of Cats.

• The Unseen, Untold, Unpublished Timeline & Key Chronicles of the Johannesburg Meditation Centre over the past 4-5 year. Now that JMC has moved to Halfway House.

• Transition in Motion: Picture Gallery of the Re-Location of JMC.

• Sunday School is alive and kicking. Learn Thai and English every Sunday at JMC.

• JMC will be a Polling Station for the coming general election of Thailand this year.

• THAI Airways special super promotion!

• Gossips!!!

 

Read and Download your PDF copy here:
http://www.peaceforafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Thai-South-African-Newsletter-Volume-38.pdf

Download previous volumes here:
http://www.peaceforafrica.org/newsletter/

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Meditation is Beyond Religion

By: The Johannesburg Meditation Centre

 

Meditation is all about making peace with oneself.  The world may not be changed, but the way we look at it can be.

Further than what is put on the headline, Meditation is also beyond Relaxation.  The wondering mind needs to relax after a long unstructured journey.  Relaxing is one thing, peace is another.  Peace is the state beyond relaxation and occurs only in the mindful state of meditation…

One of the regular FAQ’s we have received over the years is about the religion issue.  Everyone needs peace within oneself regardless of their religions.  The basic requirement of meditation is to close your eyes.  Closing the eyes is not against any religion.

Next, relax the body.  No religious scripture is against relaxation.

Then, breathe deeply into the body.  Where the in-breath ends inside the abdomen, it is the centre of the body.  This centre area is special for human mind.  It is the home of balance.

 

At the very far end of the inhale, the breath makes a u-turn, coming exhale.  Upon that very u-turn corner — the home of balance — we place our mind and make it at home.  Here and now, the mind restores its lost balance.

 

What to do then?  We just maintain that ‘very moment of balance’ for as long as we are content.  Inner peace starts to stream into our mind, and continues to get absorbed more and more.  Yet, no worship to any religion’s symbol is demanded.  The Wiseman said the Kingdom of Heaven exists inside us all.  So, why worry?

 

Meditation class and relevant lecture at the Johannesburg Meditation Centre in Halfway House is available on Sundays from 09h30 – 11h00.  Just dress yourselves loose in white or calm colour.  Sitting on the floor, on the chair, with or without back support — the choice is yours.  Between 11h00 and 12h00, a complimentary Thai food lunch is provided by our Thai community.

Please find map at below url:
http://www.peaceforafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Map-to-JMC.jpg

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Announcement
to Members and Visitors

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The Johannesburg Meditation Centre (JMC) has now settled down to a new location. We would like to announce the resumption of our  regular Sunday Meditation and Sunday School as follows:

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Sunday Meditation:
Class begins at 09.30 a.m.
Lecture begins at 10.30 a.m.
Session ends at 11.00 a.m.

Please kindly wear white in support of peace atmosphere. Arrival 15 minutes prior to class is recommended.

Meditation Retreat Course:
A 5-day meditation retreat course is coming up in April. Full details will be advised in the website.

Sunday School:
Thai language class begins at 11.00 a.m.
Class ends at 12.00 noon.

(Complimentary) Thai Food Lunch:
After Meditation session and Sunday School, Thai food lunch is sponsored by Thai community in Johannesburg & Pretoria.

(Future) Thai Food Cooking Class & Competition:
Probably in May. To be advised.

Map to JMC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

GPS Coordiantes:
S 26.00215°
E 028.13578°
– or –
S26° 00’ 130”
E028° 00’149”

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Ambassadorial Visit

H.E. the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Mr. D. Wijesinghe and his wife made a visit to the new location of the Dhammakaya Temple of Johannesburg (the Johannesburg Meditation Centre) in Midrand on Thursday 17^th March 2011.

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The High Commissioner and his wife had an opportunity to make a puja to the statue of Lord Buddha in the new meditation room, then discussed with the Buddhist monks and before they left, they did food and grocery offerings and donation to help maintenance of the meditation centre.

In the coming Vesak Day – which falls on the 6^th lunar full moon day – on Tuesday 17^th May 2011, the Sri Lankan community in Gauteng will celebrate Vesak together with the Johannesburg Meditation Centre (JMC).

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The High Commissioner and his wife received the book, “World Peace Lies from Within.” (One Man’s Vision) from the monks before they left.

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Talk Radio 702
Interviewed the Johannesburg Meditation Centre

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Following the announcement by His Holiness Dalai Lama of his decision to step down from political role, Kate Turkington from Talk Radio 702 made a phone-in conversation with Ven. Somsak of the Johannesburg Meditation Centre (JMC) in the evening of Sunday 13th March 2011.

Besides Ven. Somsak’s view on Dalai Lama issue, Kate also gave the second half of her conversation with Ven. Somsak for ‘Meditation.’ Interestingly enough, the audience from home showed a lot of interests in putting meditation into practice.

Download and listen to this 20-min conversation by the below link:
http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/jyemzu

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Thai – South African Newsletter Volume 37

The electronic copy of the monthly newsletter for the local Thai and related South African community is now out for download.

Highlights for this issue:

• Sunday school to enhance cultural understanding among Thai people and their family and peers. We teach Thai language for Thais’ friends and families; and teach English for Thais.
• The re-location of the Johannesburg Meditation Centre to Halfway House, Midrand. Map and GPS are available.
• THAI Airways International’s hot promotional campagin, “Sawasdee Thailand.”
• Special conversation with Phra Somsak, the Abbot of the meditation centre. Read also the table of chronicles why and how the Thai Temple needs re-location.
• Tropika Island Treasure depicts Phuket as the 10-week exposure on eTV Channel 134 (on DSTV).
• Gossips and more….

Download your PDF copy here:
http://www.peaceforafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Thai-South-African-Newsletter-Volume-37.pdf

Download previous volumes here:
http://www.peaceforafrica.org/newsletter/

Public Announcement (2)
From Dhammakaya Temple of Johannesburg
(Johannesburg Meditation Centre)
Subject: Re-Location of the Temple (2)

It is now publicly known that the Johannesburg Meditation Centre is relocating to a new property as per the Public Announcement (1), dated 1^st February 2011, and published in the Thai – South African Newsletter, February 2011 issue.

It can now be announced with certainty that the Temple will move to Halfway House, Midrand from Tuesday 1^st March 2011 onwards.  The full physical address, map and directions to the new location are attached herewith.

In addition to the restrictions on the property in the Cradle as previously announced, our Most Venerable Dhammajayo Bhikkhu has given us a clear direction to emphasize teaching meditation and to give Dhamma lectures to a good number of local people, and the construction of the Temple and the Ubosot (Chapel) will follow.  We have thus decided to move immediately into the inner part of the city in order to work for this assigned purpose.

The new property’s location is very convenient for Thais and locals alike to come and perform their merit making, observe precepts and practice meditation.  Furthermore, it allows us to conduct weekday evening meditation classes for those who work in town.  This is not possible at the site in the Cradle because of the distance. On Saturday afternoons, we are adding lectures to the existing meditation classes.  On Sundays we will offer English language, Thai language and Thai culture classes.

Such remarkable changes bring a so-called ‘Learning Centre’ into existence, and the Temple is the centre venue.  For example, a ‘Sunday School’ offering Thai & English language classes has already been running actively since 16^th January 2011.

The Temple would like to express its thanks to all who expressed their concerns over this change, and to those who render assistance in any way.  You will help us make a smooth transition and thus we can continue our tasks without interruption.

May the peace energy from this Field of Merit prevail in those who take care of this monastic body.  Sathu.  Sathu.  Sathu.

Be it hereby made known.
The Dhammakaya Temple of Johannesburg
(The Johannesburg Meditation Centre)
1^st March 2011.