Vesak Full Moon Poya Day 2012

Georgia Buddhist Vihara wishes you a happy and a peaceful Vesak!

Our annual Vesak program celebrates three events of the utmost significance in the life of prince Siddhartha who became the Buddha – His Birth, his attainment of Enlightenment, and his passing away. Georgia Buddhist Vihara warmly invites you to be a part of the triple commemoration. Vesak full moon day has been for centuries regarded as the Buddha Day. For it was on a Vesak full moon day, that the Shakyan prince Siddhartha Gautama was born, in Lumbini Park, on the frontier of Napal, attained Enlightenment, under the Bodhi tree in Gaya, and finally passed away. Buddhists all over the world celebrate with devotion the Triple Anniversary of Vesak. To a true follower of the Buddha, there is no greater day than Vesak Poya day which also symbolizes peace, love, compassion and piety.

With this in view the Vihara has organized various activities to celebrate this occasion focusing on Dana, Seela and Bhavana (Generosity, Morality, and Meditation).

Program for Sunday, May 06 ,2012

Program

7.30 am   Observance of the Eight Precepts,for both adult and young

Buddha Pooja and Heel Dana

8.30  Break for Tea/Coffee

9.00  Bhavana

10.00  Bhavana (for children and Young)

11.00  Buddha Pooja

11.20  Dana offering to the monks and those who observe eight precepts. If you wish to bring anything for the Dana you may sign up here 

12.00  Lunch

1.00  Abhidhamma lessons by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne

2.30  Break

2.45  Dhamma Talk in Sinhala by Ven. Dhammaloka/Dhamma Talk in English By Ven. Wajirabodhi

3.45  Group Discussion (Sutra)

5.00 Atavisi Buddha Pujawa, Termination of Sil for adults, Gilanpasa Pooja, and Pirith chanting.

Bak Poya

The Bak Full Moon Poya Day Program and  Dhamma class will be held on on Sunday, April 22, 2012, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara.  We invite you all to join the program.

MORNING PROGRAM

7:30am – 8:30am Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana.

8:30am – 9:00am Tea & coffee break

9:00am – 11:00am Vipassana Meditation.

11:00am Buddha Puja

11:20am – 12:00 Noon Dana offering to the monks and those who observe eight precepts. For more information please feel free to contact the Vihara at 770-987-8442.)

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

12:00Noon – 1:00pm Luncheon

1:00 – 2:30pm Discussion will be base on Abhidhamma by Mr. Prasanna Bopitiya

1:30-4:00pm  Dhamma Class

2:30 – 2:45pm Break.

3.00-5.00pm  Sutra Discussion; Nivapa Sutta: Relay Chariots  (English, Sinhala)

5:30 pm  Termination of the Sil Gilanpasa Pujava

Meditation Retreat

The next vipassana (mindfulness) meditation retreat and noble day of silence on Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 7am to 6pm.  This one-day meditation retreat will held at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara  (3153 Miller Road, Lithonia, GA 30038).  For this retreat, all meditation instructions, discussions, and Dhamma talks will be conducted in English. This retreat is open to everyone....those who are new to meditation as well as those who are experienced meditators.

Below is a tentative schedule of the day's events:

MORNING PROGRAM

7:30am – 8:00am: Observance of Refuge and the Eight Precepts, Buddha Puja ("offerings"), and traditional Buddhist chanting in Pali (with English translations).

8:00am – 8:30am: Breakfast (self-service)

8:30am – 10:00am: Meditation instructions and vipassana meditation

 10:00am – 10:30am: Break (coffee/tea) and personal reflection/reading

10:30am – 11:00am: Metta ("Loving-Friendliness") meditation 

11:00am - 11:30am: Buddha Puja

11:30am – 12:30pm:  Lunch (self-service)  

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

12:30pm – 1:30pm: Walking meditation

1:30pm – 2:00pm: Break (coffee/tea) & personal reflection/reading

2:00pm - 3:00pm: Vipassana meditation

3:00pm – 5:00pm: Sutta Discussion: We will continue our investigation of the Buddha's teachings as recorded in the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle Length Teachings) by discussing the Vitakkasanthana Sutta: The Removal of Distracting Thoughts (MN #20) - In this teaching, the Buddha describes how to combat the arising of unwholesome thoughts (i.e., greed, sensuous desire, hatred, and ignorance) with wholesome thoughts. (You will find a PDF version of this sutta by visiting this link - Please print a copy of the sutta and bring it to Saturday's discussion.)

 5:00pm - 6:00pm  Observance of the Five Precepts and Termination of the Eight Precepts, Buddha Puja, and concluding chanting.

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PLEASE NOTE:

Participants will need to bring (1) a light breakfast food (e.g., fruits, bagels, etc.) and (2) a lunch dish (preferably vegetarian) to share with the resident monks and the retreat participants as a form of dana (offering).  It is also customary to bring flowers, candles, or incense to place on the shrine as an offering. It is customary to wear white clothing when observing the Eight Precepts, though this is not a requirement for attendance.

During this special time, please consider making a monetary donation to the vihara as a form of dana so that we can continue to support the monks and to keep the vihara open so that all people are able to practice and learn about the Dhamma (the Buddha's teachings).

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, April 28 at the vihara.  To confirm that you are planning on attending the retreat or if you have questions about our program, please feel free to contact me either by email (justinhowell2112@gmail.com) or by phone at 404/375.0264. 

 I hope that you will be able to join us for this day of quiet contemplation.  If you are unable to make this retreat, please know that we will be having regular, day-long vipassana retreats once a month throughout the year. Additionally, you may join us for meditation and discussion on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00pm.  

 May you, your friends, and family members be well, happy, and peaceful……

 Justin

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Justin Howell
Cell phone:             404.375.0264      

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever."  -M. Gandhi

"You can't lead the people if you don't LOVE the people. You can't save the people if you won't SERVE the people."  - Cornel West

Sri Lankan New Year 2012

Sri Lankan New Year celebration will be held on the   Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, 3153 Miller Rd, Lithonia,  GA 30038.

10.15 am Lighting the oil lamp.
10.30 am Significance of the New Year
11.00am Buddha Puja
11.30 am Dana for the Maha Sangha
12. Noon Pirith chanting an offering of the sheaf of betel leaves to
the monks and parents.

12.40pm Luncheon for the guests
1.45 pm Cultural Events begins.

Note: Parents should bring present for around $5 (wrapped and labeled with child’s name) for each of your children so that all the children will get a useful present.