Tibetan Buddhist Society Festivals
The Tibetan Buddhist Society holds two weekend festivals
each year. The first celebrates the Tibetan New Year in February/March and the Buddhist
Spring Festival follows this each November. Teachers from a variety of traditions
including Tibetan, Thai, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese give talks and lead meditations.
There are also temple and garden tours, vibrant market stalls, courtyard café and
much more.
photo: Geshe Thubten Loden speech Spring festival 2007
Festival Dates 2008/2009
Buddhist Spring Festival - Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November 2008
Tibetan New Year Festival – Saturday and Sunday 2009 (tbc)
Blessing Ceremony
During the popular Blessing Ceremony the centre’s Founder
and Spiritual Leader, Venerable Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden, is joined by monks,
nuns, community and political leaders in a multi-faith Blessing Ceremony at the
Tibetan Buddhist Society’s Peaceful Land of Joy traditional Tibetan temple and meditation
centre. The ceremony includes: prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, invited
speakers sharing their views on the benefits of harmony in our community, and prayers
for world peace and freedom from war and conflict.
Temple Tours
Tour the traditional Tibetan temple that was personally
blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 23 May 2002 and learn about the significance
of the religious and artistic symbols of the traditional Tibetan temple.
Photo Exhibition
Take a journey through the photo exhibition to discover
the treasures of Tibetan Buddhist symbolism, history and culture. The photographic
exhibition gives a fascinating account of Tibetan culture in pre-1959 Tibet and
the exiled communities in India.
Buddhist Meditation and Psychology Talks
Discover how meditation can be a source of happiness to
yourself and others. Add harmony and balance to your life by embracing the wisdom
presented at talks on meditation, Buddhist philosophy and psychology by Tibetan,
Japanese, Thai, Korean and Vietnamese Buddhist teachers.
Relax in the peaceful gardens
Wander the 10 acre garden rich in colour and fragrance.
More than 2300 rose bushes (400 varieties) are grown along with 23 Californian redwoods
and 36 golden robinias. The tranquil lake and local birdlife complete the setting
for a rest and relaxation.
Garden tours
Join a walk around the beautiful gardens and listen to
tips on sustainable rose growing and the art of companion planting and organic cultivation.
Festival Market
Browse the vibrant marketplace offering a wide array of
clothing, jewellery, health and beauty products, gifts, hand-made soaps, essential
oils, music, art, souvenirs, books, CDs, tapes on Buddhist practice and much more.
Many Victorian Buddhist groups have stalls at these markets and provide information
on their annual programmes and events.
Outdoor café
Here visitors enjoy our popular vegetarian burgers, other
savouries, delicious homemade cakes, plunger coffee, chai, herbal teas and cold
refreshments in the comfort of sunny garden courtyards surrounded by tranquil garden
settings.
Festival Entry and Fees
The festivals run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Entry to the festival is $6. Children 12 and under are
free.
There is a facility charge for talks - $10 for one class,
$15 for two and $20 for three or four talks per day.
The temple tour is $5.
The garden tours and photo exhibition are free of charge.
All proceeds are donated to support the temple.
The Tibetan Buddhist Society acknowledges and thanks students
and volunteers and the Victorian Multicultural Commission for its support for the
festivals.
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