Vesak Celebrations at the Texas Buddhist Meditation Center, Fort Worth, Texas
Devotees and friends of the Texas Buddhist Meditation Center (TBMC) gathered on 23rd May, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas, to celebrate Vesak. The inaugural Vesak celebration at the center was well attended by folks from as far as Houston. Several monks from area temples joined Ven. Kamburugalle Nanda in the religious observances to mark the holiest day for Buddhists. Many devotees observed the Eight Precepts (Ata Sil). All devotees offered mid-day Dhana to participating monks and the preceptors.
The highlight of the afternoon was a Dhamma talk by Ven. Subhuthi, an expert teacher of meditation from New York. The evening events began with a Sri Lankan Bhakthi Gee recital (devotional songs) by children and adults followed by lighting of traditional Vesak lanterns. A Vesak pandol created by a few devotees depicting a Buddhist Jathaka story was unveiled by Ven. Nanda. All children who sang Bhakthi Gee received gifts from Ven. Nanda for their great effort and meticulous preparations. A most successful day of celebrations concluded with the selection of winning lanterns from the many that were on display.
Resident in chief of TBMC Ven. Nanda was ably assisted by Ven. Seevali from Houston in directing the preparations for a day of spiritual enjoyment for all.
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