Vesak commemoration is one of the important religious ceremonies for the Buddhists around the world. The origination of Buddhism started about 2600+ years ago after a felicitous baby was born named prince Siddharta meaning wish fulfilled. Prince Siddharta was born a day like today. Great teachers predicted that prince would either become an ascetic if he decides to r enunciate  or universal mornach.  Although his renunciation was a shock to  the king and queen, because of prince Siddhartha’s decision which lead him to became an acetic in search of Spiritual Enlightenment on a day like today attained Buddhahood. Buddha showed the correct path towards spiritual Enlightenment to celestial beings, Brahma and human beings left us with about 84000 teachings. Throughout the day there were various Bhavana sessions and Dhamma talks were held. Dr. Tilak gave a a Dhamma talk about the significance of the journey that lead prince Siddhartha to attain spiritual Enlightenment. Also, he gave a detailed speech about mudra, Dharma chakra or wheel of Dharma or wheel of life. Ven. Nawala Lakkhana explained specifics of Parinibbhana Sutta, that last journey of the Buddha eventually passed away in front of celestial beings, Brahma, monks and lay people.  Currently residing monk, Ven. Dunukeulle Dhammarathana who gave a Dhamma discussion about six bases in the body with detail explanation. At night Chief incumbent of Nevada Buddhist temple, most Ven. Alawala Subhuthi concluded the program thanking devotees of the temple who were immensely helped to organize the festival and opened Vesak lantern contest among who received awards those of who became first, second and third places for creativity and effort that they put towards making most beautiful Vesak lanterns.

Meditation is very popular in the society today. There are possibly countless number of meditation centers that are spread across the world. While those of who are wise slowly realizing the benefits of meditation, others think that there are no benefits and tends to postpone it  to do it later in their life not knowing that “life is uncertain, death is certain” or decide to do in the next lives of existance. So far that the science is still in primitive stage where there is no medication is introduced to make a person gain ultimate wisdom. Only medication is that there exists is to develop wisdom is meditation without any side-effects.

When we are exploring the Suthras (lectures that were given by the Buddha), Velama Suthra is one of the beautiful Suthras that we come across teaching us the importance of meditation. Meditation is not only good for health but also it helps to gain merit and develop the skill to attain spiritual Enlightenment by cultivating the mind. You can find Velama Suthra by clicking >> http://www.vimokkha.com/velama.htm Suppose we have never driven a car, is it possible to go to the driving test without training and pass the test? Therefore; suppose if we would never practice meditation, will we know when or whether we would have the opportunity to practice meditation in this life or the next?

Scientists are also today very keen to find the benefits of meditation. There are many experiments have been performed to find out the how meditation affects mentally and physically. There are some links that are listed below explains the benefits and some experiments by medical researchers:

For those who do not believe in life after life, it is important to understand that life after life exists. One of the books I solely recommend reading is “Many Lives, Many Masters Through time into healing by Dr. Weiss.” This book has detailed researched cases that proves life after life exists.

Mind controls the body. This body is impermanent, yet mind transform and carry us to the next existence of the life. Therefore, it is obvious that what must be developed and what section that one must focus more in a life time. This is why that we see that Buddhism give higher place to the mind than the body speaking of super-mundane path in Buddhism.

Poson was held today at the Nevada Buddhist Temple to signify the importance of arrival of Ven. Mihidu to Sri Lanka during the Buddha’s age. If Ven. Mihidu did not visit Sri Lanka, most likely Buddhism might not have spread across Sri Lankan. We were blessed to have Ven. Peradeniye Sathindriya and Ven. Lakkana monks attend to our temple. Those monks were warmly welcomed by Ven. Alawala Subhuthi. Along with the meditation programs and discussions regarding meditation, Ven. Dunukeulle Dhammaratana also held a dhamma sermon to eluminate the minds of the devotees. Devotional songs (Bakthi Gee) were sang by young devotees and concluded the day at the temple.

The maha sangha and organizing committee of the poson celebrations of the Nevada Buddhist Vihara indeed happy to inform you that this year’s poson Celebrations will be held at the temple premises on 19 in June, 2011.

The tentative program of the day will be as follows.

A.M. 07.00     Observe eight precept, worship Buddha
08.00     Breakfast Sponsored by Mr. Kumarasinghe family
09.00     Vipassana Meditation- conducted by Ven. Peradeniye Sathindriya
10.00     Dhamma Sermon by Ven. Peradeniye Sathindriya ( Abbot of the Minnesota temple)
11.00      Buddha pooja and Alms giving for monks and eight preceptors Sponsored by Mr. Shanthi De Silva and Prasanna Wijekularathne families.
P.M. 01.00      Meditation Program – Conducted by Ven. Lakkana
02.00      Dhamma sermon by Ven. D. Dhammaratana
03.00      Dhamma discussion- Conducted by Ven. Peradeniye Sathindriya
05.00 Termination of the eight precept, Chanting, Observe five precept
. Conducted by Ven. Alawala Subhuthi
06.00 Evening Buddha pooja
07.00 SALPILA-

The Nevada Buddhist Vihara is solely depending on your kind donations.

May the blessings of Triple Gems be with you! Happy Poson!