Search Buddhist Channel
Wesak celebrations at Indiana Buddhist Temple
ColomboPage News Desk, June 15, 2008
Fort Wayne, IN (USA) -- The familiar beat of rhythmic drums could be heard from afar. Children and adult devotees dressed in white carrying flowers and traditional flags walked in place.
Three devotees adorned in Nilame attire, marched gracefully under the Muthu Kudaya, holding the relics of the Buddha in the Dathu Karaduwa. The Maha Sangha took calm, slow steps to the road that led towards the pond surrounded by trees swaying in the gentle breeze.
The Wesak procession was taken around the beautiful and tranquil temple grounds. The mid afternoon sun provided a perfect, picturesque atmosphere where over a hundred small lanterns hung around the temple grounds in preparation for the Wesak celebrations at the new premises of the Indiana Buddhist Temple on May 31, 2008.
Pirith chanting and meditation sessions were conducted by the resident monks and visiting monks from Burmese, Thai and Laos temples in Fort Wayne, Chicago and Pittsburgh, PA areas. Several Dhamma speeches were given discussing the traditions and history of Wesak and a special message to the children was delivered by the resident Monk Ven. Neluwe Seelawimala Thero. The renowned Ashirwada puja was conducted by Ven. Thalangama Devananda Thero, the chief incumbent of the Indiana Buddhist temple.
Very skillful Dr. Tikiri Ratnayake gifted an artistically carved wooden name board to the Temple, which was also unveiled on the Wesak day.
The resident monks, Dr. Sisira Ranasinghe and devotees of the temple worked tirelessly for weeks to put together the fifteen pieces of beautifully painted forty-foot high Thorana (Pandol). The pandol portrayed the story of “Kattahari Jatakaya.” which was related to the devotees by Ven Premaratana, visiting monk from the Pittsburgh Temple.
The cultural part of the program enjoyed by all was consisted of a Bakthi Gee performance by the children, a Bharatanatyam performance to famous religious songs, “Words of wisdom”, a speech by a young devotee, a solo flute performance, a musical interlude by the American devotees of the temple. The program concluded with “Bakthi Gee sung by devotees of the Temple.
Over two hundred Buddhist and non Buddhist devotees and friends of the Temple mostly from Indiana and surrounding states attended the Wesak celebration. A few traveled from Washington DC, New York, North Carolina, and California.
The ceremony concluded with a “dansala” where Sri Lankan dishes were in abundance for everyone.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv