Courage and patience – navigating our current world
The New Year Meditation Festival at the Peaceful Land of Joy Meditation Centre is a joyful and insightful event. This year the festival is being held from 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday 23 February at the Peaceful Land of Joy Meditation Centre, 20 Cookes Rd, Yuroke, 5 minutes west of Craigieburn, 40 minutes north of the Melbourne CBD.
Wonderful program
We would love you to join us if you can. Full details of the program are coming soon – including a special Dharma talk at 2 pm, children’s meditation, wonderful food including Tibetan momos, the New Year Blessing Ceremony, garden tour, a guided meditation and temple walk. See the full program below.
The 10 acre gardens are especially spectacular through lots of volunteer effort, and the planting of stunning new student-sponsored roses. And the wonderful Enjoyment Shop. More details below.
During the New Year Blessing Ceremony, spiritual leaders from Buddhist and other religious traditions, government representatives, and the community join in reflection and prayer for a world of peace, sustainability and happiness.
Thoughtful festival theme
The theme of this year’s festival is Courage and patience – navigating our current world. We all have simple but profound choices to make each day.
While our beautiful planet is increasingly facing adversity, its future and ours are in our hands.
If we navigate each day with courage and patience, without fear, anger or resentment, we can help make a better world, but not through grumbling or turning away.
During this new year festival we will consider our own states of mind, our contributions to peace, being kind and compassionate and helping however we can to make the world a better place.
Program details
- 10.30 am Guided Meditation with Caterina (in the temple), who will focus her meditation on the wonder of courage and patience
- 11 am Garden tour with Tim McKibben – meet on the driveway near the back of the temple
- 12 noon New Year Blessing Ceremony – join the ordained community and community leaders for talks and prayers for a world of peace (in the magnificent Tibetan temple)
- 1.30 – 1.50 pm Temple tour with Venerable Cathy Evans – meet in the temple
- 1.30 pm Children’s meditation with Donna McMahon – meet rear of the temple
- 2.00 pm Talk and meditation (in the temple), Zen Master Ekai Korematsu Roshi, Courage and Patience: Navigating our Current World
Zen teaching at 2pm
From a Zen perspective, Ekai Roshi explores the theme of “Courage and Patience – Navigating Our Current World”. He highlights how our daily choices shape both our lives and the broader world, encouraging us to meet global challenges with courage, embrace reality with compassion, and recognize that true change requires patience.
This talk emphasizes the role of mindfulness in our actions, the cultivation of kindness, and the power of small, consistent efforts in contributing to peace. It calls us to navigate the world with clarity, trust the unfolding process, and work toward a compassionate, harmonious future for all beings.”
Ekai Korematsu Roshi has been serving as Abbot and Resident Teacher of Jikishoan Zen Buddhist Community in Melbourne since 1999.
Born in Japan in 1948, Roshi studied humanities and Buddhism in Denmark, USA and Japan. He was ordained by Kobun Chino Roshi at Haiku Zendo, Los Altos, in 1976 and received Dhamma transmission from Ikko Narasaki Roshi at Zuioji Monastery in 1986. His formal training was twelve years in three monasteries: Eiheiji, Zuioji and Shogoji. His Buddhist education is through Soto Zen Buddhism.
Ekai Roshi is the main Teacher and Director of Jikishoan Zen and Integrated Buddhist Studies Program. And a Faculty Member (off-campus) of the Buddhist Studies Program of Carleton-Antioch Global Engagement.
Entry arrangements
Festival gate entry* $15 single, $10 concession; $20 for one adult & one or more children, $15 concession; $25 for two adults and school age children. Proceeds support maintenance of the temple and gardens.
*The facility charge includes entry and access to – Lectures & meditation, New Year Blessing Ceremony, Children’s meditation, Gardens and Garden Tour,Guided Temple Walk.
Inquiries events@tushita.org
Gorgeous gardens
- Relax in the peace and serenity of the centre gardens
- Garden tour at 11 am, covering organic cultivation and the art of rose and salvia pruning
- Meander around lawns, lakes with many birds and wildlife
- Unwind under the shade of golden robinias and Californian redwoods
- Enjoy the beauty of many-coloured salvias, roses, marigolds, satin hibiscus and many more plants and trees
Viewing the magnificent temple
- View the magnificent traditional Tibetan temple with amazing golden roof, spires and ornaments
- A quiet reflection with the 12 ft statue of Shakyamuni Buddha
- Encircle the magnificent temple, with a guide explaining the iconography and Tibetan culture, at the end of the New Year Blessing Ceremony
Learning in the temple
- Guided meditation at 10.30 am
- New Year Blessing Ceremony at 12 noon with esteemed speakers. There will also be prayers for good conditions in the New Year and a guided meditation.
- Talk and guided meditation at 2 pm with Japanese Zen Master Ekai Korematsu of Jikishoan Zen Centre
More enjoyment…
- Delicious vegetarian food for sale throughout the day, including momos (Tibetan dumplings), and fresh tea, spicy chai and coffee and cakes
- Children’s meditation at 1.30 pm
- Visit the Enjoyment Shop with beautiful gifts and Tibetan items