Last sunday, February 11th, 2007, I helped out for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kuching Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Centre.. I was responsible arranging the chairs and passing the hoe to the VIPs.. Amongst the VIPs who attended the event are Venerable M Mahindra Thera, YB Datuk Yong Khoon Seng (Works Ministry Parliamentary Secretary) and President of Kuching Buddhist Association, Mr Chua..
The thing that will make this centre special is the stupa which would be the very first to be built in the country.. The stupa represents the Buddha's body, his speech and his mind, but most especially his mind and every part shows the path to Enlightenment. In other words it is a symbol of enlightened mind, (the awakened mind, universal divinity) and the path to its realisation..
Every stupa contains at the very least a life tree and holy relics:"When a great teacher passes away, his body is no more, but to indicate that his mind is dwelling forever in an unchanging way in the dharmakaya, one will erect a stupa as a symbol of the mind of the buddhas" - HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Well enough said.. And as usual (my blog is really a pic blog!!), below are the pics of the event..
Arrived at 6 am.. The first thing that caught my eye was the signboard..
View of the vicinity
Got my name tag, everybody's here, let's get to work!
Posed with my sis
Make-shift shrine
View from up close
Gold-coloured hoes for the event!! I am in charge of em'
Brochures of the ceremony to be presented to the VIPs
Some goodies for the guests and visitors
Loved those miniature gifts!! Gonna grab some home.. hahaha!!
The front banner
The rostrum
Ok.. Everyone gather around..
All set and ready for the ceremony!!
8.00 am.. There are a few cars approaching!!
The guests of honour have arrived!!
Sister Dhammika welcoming the VIPs
Ok the event will commence in a short while.. Take a sit everyone..
815 am.. The ceremony begins!!
Venerable M Mahinda Thera lighting up the lamp to officiate the ceremony..
Then there was the Pali, Theravada, Mahayana and other types of chanting..
( I was standing right behind the loud speaker!! Ahh my ears!!)
And like other events, there were speeches from Sis Dhammika, YB Datuk Yong Khoon Seng and Venerable M Mahinda Thera..
Finally the highlight of the event, the groundbreaking ceremony!!!
From left to right : Sis Dhammika, YB Dato Yong Khoon Seng and Mr Chua
Token of appreciation for our guests!!
My job's done.. Posed with the signboard.. Hehe!!
My sis and dad!!
Simple exhibition about the project at a school compound nearby..
Sempat ambil gambar with the Venerable and Rinpoche.. from Tibet
Took 4 back!! Yeah!!
Went back home thinking wat would the place be like after the project is completed..
Peace out!!
1 comment:
Boy.. makes me miss my Buddhist Society days.
A lot of pics you got there...
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