Vesak Day marks three significant dates in Buddhism: the birth date of the Prince Siddhattha, the day the Bodhisatta attained enlightenment and the day of the passing of the Buddha.
Vesak Day greeting from Mangala Vihara (Buddhist Temple).
The gift of the Dhamma excels all other gifts
The Mangala Vihara Dhamma Fellowship (MVDF) marked Vesak Day on May 29th 2018, to share the three core values of learning the Dhamma to develop right understanding; practise compassion, gratitude and generosity; and to share knowledge selflessly and propagate the seeds of Buddhism. Thus the MVDF organised various activities and education classes to this end. The gifts of Dhamma excel all other gifts. (Dhammapada 354).
It was an opportune time that showcased the activities and programmes to the visitors who thronged the temple; and was indeed a fertile ground with a huge turnout to promote the events.
The large crowd that thronged the temple provided …
… a fertile ground for promotion of activities and events.
In the propagation of the seeds of Buddhism, the MVDF organises the following classes and activities to cater to the interests of a wide spectrum of the visitors, vide:
Non-examination Education Classes
Activities to enhance the practice
Digital platform
Forging ahead into the digital world and the traditional way of putting up posters on billboards was anachronistic to publicise the activities. It was replaced with a multimedia platform where images of the various activities and programmes were flashed across on monitor screens.
Monitor screens replaced the posters on billboards showcased the activities.
However, the human touch and interactions were still evident to approach visitors and answer enquiries from interested parties and potential participants.
Human touch and interactions still evident to approach visitors …
… and answer enquiries from interested party and potential participant.
Book stall
The members of MVDF also manned a book stall for distribution of free Dhamma books, booklets, fancy bookmarks, decals and Buddhist ancillary.
Distribution of free books, booklets, decals …
… and fancy bookmarks.
Noble deed
It was indeed a noble deed to propagate the Dhamma by sharing with the mass at large, following the footsteps of Lord Buddha: “I allow you, monks, to wander abroad for the good of the many, for the welfare and happiness of devas and humans. Do not go two together, monks, but teach the Dhamma that is lovely in its beginning, lovely in its middle, and lovely in its ending, both in the letter and in the spirit, and display the holy life fully complete and perfect. There are beings with little dust on their eyes who are perishing through not hearing the Dhamma, they will become knowers of Dhamma.” (D.ii, 48).
Contributor: Chin Kee Thou
Date: June 3rd 2018
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Chin Kee Thou
Buddhism and Daily Living 
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