|
For the 10th year, Laughing Rivers happily supported and participated in the Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh's Annual Vesak and Peace Walk . Eleven of our members attended and contributed to the day. Vesak (also known as Wesak) is the international celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha's life, enlightenment and parinirvana (transition). Since 2009, multiple Buddhist traditions have come together in Pittsburgh to honor this day, beginning with a shared Service followed by a Peace Walk and Water Service at the river. Inspired by the 2300-mile Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington DC, this year's Pittsburgh gathering was especially exciting. The Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church on the North Side, which has so generously hosted the event over the years, was full to capacity. Sangha members from seven different Traditions, plus friends from the Public, participated in the opening practice of bathing the Baby Buddha, and listened to, or offered, chants and teachings. Festive songs were led by two children's choirs, one from Cleveland. During the closing Meditation at the church, attendees were invited to touch their heart's intentions for World Peace, which were then infused into the water from bathing the baby Buddha. This blessed water was carried to the Allegheny River during the Peace Walk, and used during the 2nd half of the shared Service. The Peace Walk is beautifully captured in this 9-minute video, which introduces several of the monastics who led the Walk. This 5-minute video , created by Kirsi Jansa, (who practices with Laughing Rivers) also shows portions of the Walk but shares elements of the Riverside Service including music, the ladling of the Blessed Water into the river by attendees and the Public, and Dharma teaching on our 2026 theme, Watering the Seeds of Peace, by Abbot Kotoku Crivello, from the Zen Center of Pittsburgh. The event was capped with more music, Indian Chai tea (compliments of Laughing Rivers and our friends at Dobra Tea), plus wonderful Thai cuisine gifted by the Thai Temple in Monroeville. A delicious day honoring the Buddha! Watch for Vesak in 2027! May your day be well, and may your year be filled with blessings. _(())_ Comments are closed.
|
