Buddha Day is the most significant festival in the Buddhist calendar - a celebration of the Buddha’s Enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree, and of the potential for awakening within us all.
Not long after his awakening, the Buddha declared: “To live without reverence is to be unhappy.” Finding no teacher greater than himself, he turned instead to the Dhamma - “honouring and respecting” it as his guide. Tradition also tells us that in the days immediately following his Enlightenment, the Buddha gazed in silence at the Bodhi tree - an act of deep, wordless gratitude.
Drawing inspiration from the Garava Sutta, the poetry of the Sevenfold Puja and the rich symbolism of the traditional offerings - of water, light, perfume, flowers, food, and incense - we’ll explore what it might mean to live with that same spirit of reverence and gratitude today.
Programme
Gathering for Mitras & Order Members: Offerings: Outer, Inner and Secret’ (doors open 10am for 10.15am start).
Doors open at 11.15am
11.30am Kataññuta Workshop (the Buddhist word Kataññuta implies actively developing a knowledge and emotional awareness of what we’ve been given)
1pm Shared lunch (bring a something vegetarian to share)
2pm Keynote Talk: Offerings, Reverence & the Mystery of Awakening
3.15pm Tea & Cake
3.30pm Sevenfold puja with the traditional seven offerings, and music
4.30pm End
Led by Ksantikara & Darsavini
The North London Buddhist Centre exists through the generosity of many people; please make a donation to help us continue offering the Dharma.