Vesak Day 2021
Pal Buddhist School held its first celebration of the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha at our Leppington campus on Saturday the 29th of May.
It was a joyful day of unity as monastics from all different schools of Buddhism joined our community as students of the Buddha in the blessed presence of the Buddha's relic.
We humbly thank all the monastics, guests and members of our Pal community who helped make our Vesak Day a harmonious community occasion.
It was a proud day in history for Pal Buddhist School and the first of many auspicious gatherings to come at Leppington.
Vesak Day Program Highlights
Our program included performances and presentations from our students on Buddhist stories and teachings, the blessed presence of a Buddha's relic, Dana and almsgiving to monastics, and our traditional foot-washing ceremony.
Dhamma Talk
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The Buddha praised the opportunity to listen to Dhamma teachings from monks as one of life’s greatest blessings.
Dhamma talks are integral to Vesak celebrations and involve public discourses on Buddhism by various Buddhist teachers.
Vesak 2021 involved discussions of Sigālovāda Sutta, commonly referred to as the code of disciplines for the layperson. Sigālovāda Sutta provides guidance to laypeople on the step to leading a happy, peaceful and progressive life.
Puja
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Puja is a Pali word, which means "honour, worship and devotional attention". Puja involves making offerings of candles, flowers and fruits, chanting of the Suttas, meditation and prayer.
Puja is known as devotional practice and allows Buddhists to express their gratitude to the Buddha and his teachings.
The Buddha's Relics
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After his death, the Buddha was cremated and his ashes divided among his followers.
These relics are said to incite blessings, a stronger connection to the dhamma, and a sense of serenity for those who come to experience the Buddha's unseen presence.
Dana and Almsgiving
![](https://pal.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/alms.jpg)
The act of Dana and almsgiving have been practised by Buddhists for thousands of years. They are equated with developing generosity and the belief that generous acts will bring about peace and happiness.
Dana is often perceived as giving laypeople the opportunity to make merit. This occurs when laypeople prepare and place food and water in a monk's alms bowl. Once food and water have been placed inside the bowl, the monk will place the lid on top of their alms bowl and recite a prayer as a blessing to their donor.
Like all good deeds, the act of giving brings greater happiness and peace in the future in accordance with the Buddha's teachings of the kammic law of cause and effect.
Foot Washing Ceremony
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Our Foot Washing Ceremony aims to foster the values of respect, gratitude and humility. It gives students a meaningful way of honouring and respecting the great teachers in their lives.
Students display appreciation through this ceremony by washing the feet of parents, grandparents, or teachers. Foot washing is also an ancient act of piety for the monastics and priests.
Vesak Day 2021 Acknowledgements
We humbly thank the Salvation and Cambodian Culture Association of NSW for arranging the blessed presence of the Sacred Relic of the Buddha at our Vesak event.
Our Vesak Day 2021 event was made possible with thanks to the following people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes:
Event Volunteers
Venerable Tep Vuthy - Venue Setup & Event Advisor
Venerable Logn Phally - Venue Setup
Venerable Bun Heng - Venue Setup
Mrs Kim Sean Pal - Venue Setup
Mr Min Pheakdey - Venue Setup
Mrs Jenny Banhgiang - Florist
Mrs Sue Lam - Florist
Mr Li Zaihua - Florist
Mrs Lin Liping - Florist
Mrs Lu Zhang - Parent Volunteer
Mrs Vong Rith - Helper
Mrs Pen Lek - Helper
Mrs Tauch Chanbopha - Helper
Mrs Phanya Oung - Helper
Mrs Savoeun Prum - Helper
Mrs Non Heng - Helper
Mrs Sokhaon Hodgetts - Helper
Cambodian Living Arts and Culture of NSW Inc. - Traditional Khmer Dance
Pal Buddhist School Staff
Mr Panha Pal - Event Advisor
Ms Helen Lam - Event Advisor
Bodhidasa - MC, Performances, Artworks
Mr Freddy Lu - Venue Setup and Catering
Mr Hans Wei - Video, Photo, Marketing, Volunteers
Mr Jack Tran - Venue Setup and Volunteers
Mr Allan Hayes - Venue Setup
Mr Eugene Lu - Venue Setup
Mr Josh Sawtell - Stage Manager, Audio & Visual
Ms Rashmita Kaur - VIPs and Monastics
Ms Zoe Shaw - Sigala Cube and Primary Performance
Ms Yongfei Li - Sigala Cube and Artworks
Dr Tony Chung - Sigala Cube
Mr Galen Neubronner - Logistics and A&V Assistant
Mr Brad Horner - Logistics & Student Management
Mr Jimmy D’Alessio - Floor Manager Assistant
Mr Jacky Tong - Catering Assistant
Ms Kelly Lam - Graphics
Mrs Sovandane Hor - Guest Administration
Our Vesak Day 2021 event was made possible with thanks to all our student volunteers:
Service to Monastics
Aaron Vuong
Ana Tran
Birdy Khekleang
Brian Luong
Eric Tiet
Gracie Tamrakar
Laksmy Sokhorn
Lucas Phu
Niwatey San
Ronald Tiet
Shing E
Tiani Tang
Vicky Vo
Visnu Sokhorn
PBS CHOIR
Allan Huynh-Tang
Caitlin Sher
Kawyaa Hettiarachchi
Kayla Sher
Huy Luong
Marissa Chea
Naliza Sophal
Prathini Hettiarachchi
Ronald Tiet
Sievkech Koeng
Sokphallyka Sao
Visnu Sokhorn
Catering Team
Andrew Korm
Evelyn Thai
Janesa Pal
Kevin Nguyen
Kim Ngoc Hong
Le Cheng Zhu
Morrison Ho
Natalie Tran
Ratana Vong
Foot-Washing Preparations
Cynthia Jin (Alumni)
Jeslyn Pal
Joseph Ameer
Nhu Y Tran
Nicolas Lee
Oscar Li
Xavier Tang
Drama Performers
Anuk Ranaweera
Ethan Kou
Hannah Khom
Hector Tran
Jack Hak
Jaden Hoang-Ngo
Jocelyn Luong
Kevin Nguyen
Linda Chi
Prime Lyn
Trivyahn Nguyen
Tyson Phan
Vincent Tran
Xavier Tang
Reception Team
Anael Ashok Kumar
Anjelena Tran
Chuhua Lei
Jeslyn Pal
Leo Zhu
Lily Chhang
Prime Lyn
Quy Phu Bui
Tyrese Kim
Photo and Video Team
Caitlin Sher
Jayden Jin
Kayla Sher
Lanny Duong (Alumni)
Audio & Visual Team
Cecilia Truong
Marissa Chea
Gift Giving Team
Anjelena Tran
Birdy Khekleang
Kelly Tran
Oscar Li
Patrick Nguyen
Ren Jie Hum
Guest Management
Amelia Bui
Anael Ashok Kumar
Brian Luong
Chancy Lyn
Cynthia Jin (Alumni)
Dominic Tran
Lucas Phu
Nobphasok Takaew
Quy-Huan Nguyen-Phuoc (Alumni)
Contact Pal Buddhist School
Contact us today to find out how our school can help your child succeed:
Phone: +612 9755 7778
Email: info@pal.nsw.edu.au
School Hours: Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 5.00pm
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Pal Buddhist School
14 First Avenue, Canley Vale, NSW, Australia 2166
Contact Pal
+612 9755 7778
info@pal.nsw.edu.au
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