The Buddhist Centre brings new life to New Zealanders

Anura Vidanapathirana

New Zealand: New Zealand celebrated the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi in grand manner. Issuing of a Vesak stamp, with the national flower of New Zealand as its emblem is one among many such activities of celebrations. A Vesak greeting card was also launched.

Vesak card and postage stamp issued in New Zealand to mark 2550 years of Buddhist era. This occasion marks the first time in New Zealand history where a postage stamp was issued to mark a Buddhist festival. First time in the world history where a postage stamp depicting Sinhala script published outside Sri Lanka. The Auckland Centre for Buddhist Learning (ACBL), a foremost Buddhist organisation in New Zealand with a number of prominent Sri Lankans in New Zealand organised the celebrations.

The ACBL during the past four months of its existence has organised several conventional activities such as Gilanpasa Pooja every evening, the Sil Pinkama on every Full Moon Day, a meditation programme, Dhamma disclosures and meeting the socio-cultural needs of the people, as well as in organising several non-conventional tasks.

The two non-conventional activities which merit special attention include a religious programme for the youth who have grown up in a modern society full of material aspects with a very little direction towards the teachings of the Buddha. Already many youth members have benefited from the religious programme aimed at youth who now seem to accept a better responsibility in their household matters and to respect their parents and other adults.

Secondly, a series of Dhamma discussions aimed at formulating an academic programme on Dhamma is already in full swing. Arrangements are being made to organise a meditation programme for the benefit of the wider New Zealand society.

It is believed that this programme in particular will help the people in this affluent society to better equip themselves in stress management and to become meaningful citizens. On the New Year Day last month, over 400 Sri Lankans gathered to celebrate the dawn of the year.

After performing Buddha Pooja under the leadership of the Ven. Elle Chandawimala, the participants witnessed the manner by which the younger members respected their parents and adults by offering sheaves of betel reminiscent of the traditional Sri Lankan custom.

Planting a Bo-sapling at the Centre premises The participants saw the youth worship their parents in public for the first time in their existence. It is to be noted that many children did not have the opportunity to witness the fine Sri Lankan traditions as they were either born in New Zealand or may have migrated to the country when they were still young.

The ACBL under the advice of the Ven. Chandawimala Thera has organised a series of events spread over a duration of two weeks to mark the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi. The events started on the 6th of May and was terminated on the 20th May. On the first day, a special launch of a new stamp and a Vesak greeting card were launched.

The postage stamp to the value of cents 45 was the first time a Buddhist stamp had been issued in the history of New Zealand. The stamp depicts a pohutukawa flower which is the national flower of New Zealand while the attachment to the stamp gives some information on the Buddhist Era 2550. A Dhamma debate and an international food festival were also launched on the same day.

Members of many other nationalities had an occasion to taste some of the traditional Lankan food at the food fair.

A blood donation was organised with the assistance of the New Zealand Blood Service on the 10th May. A large number of individuals and families donated blood.

The Vesak decorations, lighting and an electronic pandal depicting Jataka stories saw the attention of the public for several days in the centre's premises at 23, Waipuna Road, Mt. Wellington, Auckland. Nearly 200 devotees including the youth observed Ata Sil to mark the beginning of the Buddhist Era 2550. A Bo-sapling was ceremonially planted within the premises of the Buddhist Centre.

The donation of a pair of Sacred Relics by the generous Mahawithana family was another landmark of the Vesak programme. The last item in the special Vesak programme was a stage drama which was performed on the 20th May. Both young and old members of the Sri Lankan community took part in this drama which was free to the public. This drama depicted effects of stealing.

The Auckland Centre for Buddhist Learning (ACBL) was incorporated in October 2005 as a religious organisation in New Zealand. The Centre is administered by a registered Trust of which the founding trustees are Messrs Sarath Thrimawithana, Ananda Weerasinghe, D. Prathapasinghe, W. Hinguruduwa and Thosepala Hewage.

The Centre which fills a void among the Buddhist community including many Sri Lankans living in New Zealand was able to begin its actual activities in early February. The entire Lankan community is most grateful to the dedication and the courage by the Ven. Elle Chandawimala Thera, the Viharadhipathi of the Welikala Bodhirathanaramaya, Pokuniwita who accepted the challenge to organise this Buddhist Temple for the benefit of the community.

The Ven. Chandawimala Thera at the invitation of the Trust travelled to Auckland, New Zealand in February.

The Centre at present is catering to the needs of many Sri Lankans as well as people from other countries such as China, Malaysia and other Pacific countries.