The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion called me back once again to Bendigo this weekend in celebration of Vesak (Vesakha) or Buddha Day. Zoe, Seth and Helen joined me in celebration of what is informally known as 'Buddha's Birthday' - a day to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. The Great Stupa held it's annual special gathering and night show for the event, and we all got be a part of it this year.
Vesak is a time of great joy and happiness and Buddhists take it's celebrating very seriously, as I found out on Saturday evening when I was amazed, dazzled and entertained by a variety of spectacular performances and a fireworks display that had to be seen to be believed, absolutely brilliant!
After spending a leisurely day perusing Daylesford and wandering The Great Stupa grounds by day, we joined a large gathering of people to assemble on chairs facing the brightly lit Stupa in the early evening. A variety of talents and acts had been enlisted to perform on stage in celebration of Vesak, all of which were fantastic and showcased many different cultures and unique abilities. Let's just say that I haven't seen such a diverse amount of acts gathered together in one place before and I thought that it was really entertaining. Among my favourites were the Bendigo Lion Dance Team, Jason Kerr's Didgeridoo performance, Vern the Fire Dancer and the hilarious shadow puppet show "The Birth of Gatotkaca" by Aaron Hall that had us all in hysterics.
The evening culminated in a light and sound fireworks show that left me speechless, I have never been so close to fireworks in my life and I have never seen fireworks done so well before. I felt like I was 10 years old all over again, I was just sat there, gob open, completely mesmerized! On the way back to the car Seth exclaimed "10 out of 10, let do the Stupa the again!"To which we all agreed that we would definitely return for this event again next year, and quite possibly every year after that. I definitely must tip my hat to the organisers of this event, it was exceptionally well orchestrated and incredibly good value for money, I was really impressed by the levels of professionalism and organisation.
I think that I may have found a hidden gem in Vesak; a chance to get together just before the darkest days of winter are upon us and celebrate diversity in the most spectacular fashion imaginable with the Buddhist community. I do believe that Vesak is going to become an annual event for me from now on.
Vesak is a time of great joy and happiness and Buddhists take it's celebrating very seriously, as I found out on Saturday evening when I was amazed, dazzled and entertained by a variety of spectacular performances and a fireworks display that had to be seen to be believed, absolutely brilliant!
After spending a leisurely day perusing Daylesford and wandering The Great Stupa grounds by day, we joined a large gathering of people to assemble on chairs facing the brightly lit Stupa in the early evening. A variety of talents and acts had been enlisted to perform on stage in celebration of Vesak, all of which were fantastic and showcased many different cultures and unique abilities. Let's just say that I haven't seen such a diverse amount of acts gathered together in one place before and I thought that it was really entertaining. Among my favourites were the Bendigo Lion Dance Team, Jason Kerr's Didgeridoo performance, Vern the Fire Dancer and the hilarious shadow puppet show "The Birth of Gatotkaca" by Aaron Hall that had us all in hysterics.
The evening culminated in a light and sound fireworks show that left me speechless, I have never been so close to fireworks in my life and I have never seen fireworks done so well before. I felt like I was 10 years old all over again, I was just sat there, gob open, completely mesmerized! On the way back to the car Seth exclaimed "10 out of 10, let do the Stupa the again!"To which we all agreed that we would definitely return for this event again next year, and quite possibly every year after that. I definitely must tip my hat to the organisers of this event, it was exceptionally well orchestrated and incredibly good value for money, I was really impressed by the levels of professionalism and organisation.
I think that I may have found a hidden gem in Vesak; a chance to get together just before the darkest days of winter are upon us and celebrate diversity in the most spectacular fashion imaginable with the Buddhist community. I do believe that Vesak is going to become an annual event for me from now on.
WHAT THE #$*! DO WE (K)NOW!?
Release Date: 2004
Rating: M
Running Time: 109 mins
A documentary style film that combines interviews, computer generated graphics and an ongoing narrative to discuss the possibility of a spiritual connection between quantum physics and consciousness. Directed and funded by William Arntz, with the assistance of fellow Ramtha's School of Enlightenment students Betsy Chasse and Mark Vicente, this low-budget independent movie was criticized for misrepresenting science and containing pseudoscience. It has been described as a case of 'quantum mysticism', however, many of the interviewees and subjects are professional scientists in the field of physics, chemistry and engineering, so it is certainly not without merit.
The story follows a photographer as she encounters emotional and existential hurdles in her life. These experience build the foundations upon which all of the discussion regarding quantum physics and consciousness are developed.
Truth or theory? Who cares, I loved this film, it got my brain buzzing! I was riveted and also perplexed by some of the science that was being thrown at me, and whether you think it's a load of malarkey or not is really up to you, but it is definitely worth a look so that you can decide for yourself.
FINAL SAY: Ponder that for a while.
3.5 Chili Peppers
Release Date: 2004
Rating: M
Running Time: 109 mins
A documentary style film that combines interviews, computer generated graphics and an ongoing narrative to discuss the possibility of a spiritual connection between quantum physics and consciousness. Directed and funded by William Arntz, with the assistance of fellow Ramtha's School of Enlightenment students Betsy Chasse and Mark Vicente, this low-budget independent movie was criticized for misrepresenting science and containing pseudoscience. It has been described as a case of 'quantum mysticism', however, many of the interviewees and subjects are professional scientists in the field of physics, chemistry and engineering, so it is certainly not without merit.
The story follows a photographer as she encounters emotional and existential hurdles in her life. These experience build the foundations upon which all of the discussion regarding quantum physics and consciousness are developed.
Truth or theory? Who cares, I loved this film, it got my brain buzzing! I was riveted and also perplexed by some of the science that was being thrown at me, and whether you think it's a load of malarkey or not is really up to you, but it is definitely worth a look so that you can decide for yourself.
FINAL SAY: Ponder that for a while.
3.5 Chili Peppers
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