Day of Mindfulness – Sunday 21st August, 2011 - Pavarana and Rose Ceremony
Schedule
9:30 Walking Meditation
11:00 The Pavarana Ceremony (rains retreat closing ceremony)
Lunch
Total Relaxation
15:00 Rose Ceremony.
Important Notice: Dear Sangha, please help support the monks and nuns by bringing your own packed lunch, as we will not have our usual formal lunch.
If you would like to attend this day please email to register at aiab@pvfhk.org (We apologise for any inconvenience as the registration system is currently out of order).
In the West we have Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to celebrate the presence of our parents in our lives. The Rose Ceremony is a tradition that Thầy began after a visit to Japan. While in Tokyo some Japanese students pinned a carnation on Thầy’s robe. On Mother’s day, it is their custom to wear a red flower on the lapel when your mother is still alive, and a white one if she is no longer alive. In Vietnam (and other Asian countries) there is a tradition to celebrate the Ullambana Ceremony, which is an occasion to commemorate the Bodhisattva Maudgalyayana for his expression of filial love – rescuing his Mother from the Hell realm. Every year, as part of the Plum Village tradition we celebrate both the Ullambana and the Rose Ceremony together. It is an opportunity to pay respect and offer gratitude to our parents for their love and care throughout our lives. This is special as it is a time when you can reflect on and appreciate the good seeds that your parents have passed on to you, whether they are still alive or not.