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This Myanmar New Year celebration normally falls around thirteen to seventeen of April every year. It is a time for rejoicing as well as for merit making.

Either as individuals or in groups, people devote themselves to offer and bath Buddha Images with scented water. They pay homage to the elders with cool water and other offerings.

Either as individuals or in groups, people devote themselves to offer and bath Buddha Images with scented water. They pay homage to the elders with cool and fresh water and other offerings. Splashing water at passerby may be interpreted as symbolizing the washing away of the immoral stains accumulated during the past year.

Even as joviality and merrymaking is going on in the streets, there are, at the same time, many meritorious celebrations at the temples, and devoted Buddhists take refuge and observe the precepts together with meditation, at the monasteries.

So, let us celebrate the Water Festival in the same traditional manner and spilt by performing meritorious deeds at the Temple and enjoy the fun of splashing water at each other courteously.

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Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day to remember the five auspicious occations which occoured on the full moon of May.

They are:

1. The first prediction which the Bodhisatta (Buddha-to-be) received about his becoming a Buddha, from Dipankara Buddha many Kalpas ago.
2. The Bodhisatta, Prince Siddartha, was born about 2600 years ago in Lumbini Park (northern India) on a Friday, full moon day of May.
3. He attained Enlightenment and became a Buddha at the age of 35, under the Bodhi Tree at Buddha Gaya on full moon day of May.
4. The Twin Miracle the Buddha performed to subdue the pride of the royal members of the Sakya Clan. In the Twin Miracle, water and fire sprouted from hos body.
5. The Buddha passed away into Parinibbana at the Age of 80 at Kusinegara on full moon day of May.

On this day, out of gratitude, Buddhists ponder on the Boundless Compassion of Sakyamuni Buddha who teaches man to liberate himself from the suffering of the cycle of rebirths.

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VASSAVASA

The Vassavasa period lasts for about three months, beginning from the day after full moon of July to full moon day of October. During the three months of monsoon rains, bhikkhus go into retreat at a monastery designated beforehand at the start of the rainy season. This practice was introduced during the life time of the Buddha. This tradition is still being observed today. To welcome the members of the Sangha, lay people will make offering of robes, food and other gifts.

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KATHINA ROBE OFFERING

Kathina civara means robes offered to the sangha during the kathina ceremony.

Offering of kathina robes was originally made to a group of bhikkhus known as the Bhaddavaggi Brothers of Paveyya region. The Buddha allowed a special form of robe offering to the members of the Sangha who were in need of robes. One-month period from the full moon day of October to the full moon day of November was prescribed as the period, during which, kathina robes may be offered. This special offering is purely voluntary. Bhikkhus are not supposed to ask for such offering even from their own parents. Robes are offered to the Sangha and not to any individual bhikkhu. These offerings are placed before the members of the Sangha who have observed their rains retreat. A prescribed ritual is held in a sima (hall) by the Sangha before distributing the offerings to the needy bhikkhus in the presence of the assembly. This special offering of robes brings five kinds of benefit to the donors:

These five benefits are as follows:

1. The donor will always have safe journey without worry, danger or obstacle.
2. They will never suffer shortage of food and will not be harmed by poisoned food.
3. They will not suffer loss by robbery or theft.
4. They will not suffer loss by natural disasters.
5. They can easily accomplish what they set out to do.

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ANNUAL ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The present building of Burmese Buddhist Temple was built and opened on 29 December 1991. The annual anniversary celebration is often held on a Sunday at the end of December. All are cordially invited. By participating in the celebration you are sharing the merits of thousands of people who are involved in building of this great temple. Vegetarian lunch is served and free anniversary cakes are given to all in attendance.

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