The upcoming full moon in May is Vesak, a special Buddhist holiday observed around the world, inspired by the Buddha’s teachings of compassion, peace and goodwill. Vesak honors his birth, enlightenment and death, all together. Vesak is joyful, celebrating the happiness the Buddha found even in the midst of birth and death. People flock to this teaching, not only because he normalizes suffering, but because he awakens the energy of compassion, joy and freedom to be found within the human condition.
I’ve wondered why the birth, enlightenment, and death are all honored on the same day in the Theravada (early Buddhist) lineage? Could it be because birth, death, insight, understanding all happen in the present moment? Life is born anew in each moment. Freedom is found here and now. There is nowhere else. Buddha’s realization comes alive in the vitality of compassion and tender understanding that can free the heart just where you are.
– Trudy Goodman
Let’s celebrate this wondrous time together this full moon as the world changes yet again. This year Vesak also falls into the time of a slow reopening after 14 months of a devastating pandemic. Transition and transformation is yet again asked of us. How can we hold this with care, kindness and intentionality?
We will come together to meditate, to reflect, for a releasing and renewing ritual and to meditate some more.
Please have pen and paper and a candle and/or incense ready for our celebration.
Schedule PT:
7:00-8.30pm
Additional Optional Schedule PT:
8:30-8:45pm Mindful Walking or Movement
8:45-9:20pm Silent Sitting or Stationary
9:20-9:30pm Chanting of the Metta Sutta
Metta Sutta
This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech,
Humble and not conceited, contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skilful,
not proud and demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing that the wise would later reprove.
They should wish:
In gladness and in safety
May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be,
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born,
May all beings be at ease!
Let none deceive another, or despise any being in any state,
Let none through anger or ill-will wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings,
Radiating kindness over the entire world,
Spreading upwards to the skies, and downwards to the depths,
Outwards and unbounded, freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down,
Free from drowsiness, one should sustain this recollection.
Suggested Donation: $25
