TSV BUDDHA JAYANTI 2022 – तमु समाज भिक्टोरिया बुद्ध जयन्ती २०२२

Date : Jul 3, 2022

Posted By : Admin

Event Description :

Buddha Jayanti 2022 AD (2566th Siddharth Gautam Buddha’s Birthday) was celebrated by Tamu Samaj Victoria (Australia) community from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday 22 May 2022 at Quang Duc Buddhist Monastery (Vietnamese Community led), Fawkner. More than 400+ participants and their families tuned in to mark the occasion.

 

The event was first face-face onsite event in the last 2 years of COVID pandemic. A higher number of turnouts was attributed to in part community’s enthusiasm to get together after a long COVID hiatus and in part more quality program and venue (Buddhist Monastery). We felt blessed to have the presence of Khenpo Vagindra Shila (Nanda Prasad Timilsina) all the way from Kathmandu, Nepal. Khenpo Vagindra Shila gave a wonderful discourse on importance of marking Buddha birthday, history, teachings; demonstrated few short valuable meditation and yoga techniques; and finally explained relevance and practicality of Buddha teachings to many real-life queries/questions (Q&A session led by Dr Mohan B Gurung). Khenpo was assisted by our own resident Sanga Lama Inder Bahadur Gurung. The spiritual part included receiving/welcome of Khenpo by attendees, praying/chanting of “Buddham Saranam Gachhami – Dhammum Saranam Gachhami – Sangam Saranam Gachhami”, and blessing from duo Lama Gurus throughout the day. This first part of the program was also broadcasted Facebook live for those unable to attend the event in person.

 

There were a couple of other regular activities. Buddha video/speech competition for teenagers – two young participants Archan Gurung and Bipin Gurung spoke on importance and history of Buddha Jayanti. Well done to both of them for coming out and taking the challenge! Another popular kids drawing competition activity was led by Ayesha Gurung, many younger ones enthusiastically showcased their talents coloring the provided drawings.

 

In addition, three special activities were organized. The first one was to congratulate and offer auspicious blessings to the families (7+) with new borns in the community, this important activity has been postponed during the COVID restrictions. The second was to acknowledge the commercial/business sponsors of the TSV Magazine 2022 (Volumn 3 Issue 0). TSV President Tej B Gurung and TSV Magazine Editor Dr Mohan B Gurung thanked seven (7) of them. The last one was to officially receive a book written by Nepal Army CoAS (Chief of Army Staff) General (Retired) Chhatraman Singh Gurung, from his representative/relative Nepal Army Major General (Retired) Daman Ghale who happened to be in Melbourne visiting his children; both of them being distinguished and high-ranking Gurung personalities in Nepal.

 

Finally, the prize/souvenir/Dakshina distribution and thank you note from Tej B Gurung ended the official program. A very special thanks was to the venue provider – Quang Duc Buddhist Monastery, in-charge Venerable Master Phuong and volunteer Mr Hung for their kindness and generosity.  A group photo was taken outside the Monastery for a record.

 

The event coordinators were Arun K Gurung and Nabindra Gurung. The free food and drinks were organized by Ama Toli (TSV Mothers’ Group) led by Anita Gurung. Laxman Gurung and Merina Gurung served as the program MCs. Photography and Facebook Live was handled by Saugat Gurung and Bigyan Gurung. Ashok Gurung managed COVID related safe plan. Venue setup, decoration and pack up needed many volunteers – Rajan Gurung, Amrit Gurung, Santosh Gurung, Ananda Gurung, Prem Gurung, Mabi Gurung, Gopal Gurung, Nabindra Gurung, Ashok Gurung, Inder Singh Gurung and many more. TSV Secretary Mohini Gurung played a key role liaising with people, prizes/certificates, social media, announcements, etc. Dr Parbati Gurung, Maya Gurung and Mohini Gurung were the onsite first-aid officers. The list of nameless volunteers working tirelessly both behind the scene and on the day goes long, especially encouraging sign is the many more youths coming forward to really contribute to the success of the event. As a flagship annual TSV event, Tamu (Gurung) attire was encouraged, and many young and old proudly wore and did look great.

 

Lastly we would like to thank everyone and look forward to see you all at our next event in near future soon. Please stay safe and well during current COVID recovery phase. As always, please reach out to one of executive members for any comments/advice.

 

Thank you
Tamu Samaj Victoria (Australia)