Vessantara Day

Vessantara Day

The Vessantara Jataka (in Thai, “Mahachat” – The Great Birth) was a festival held on Sunday 9th September, to commemoration the life story of Lord Buddha in his birth as Prince Vessantara, who had perfected himself with the highest and noblest virtue in a human life, that is:

The supreme sacrifices made by Prince Vessantara were told in a story, which were divided into 13 parts.

13 monks (From various temple) are invited to take part in chanting verses, recited in a song-like manner, first in sacred Pali and followed by a translation in Thai. Some monks even end their sermons with a beautiful performance consisting of a melody composed specifically for the part. This commences at 09:00hrs and concludes at 18:00hrs.

A full comprehensive English translation of the Vessantara story will be chanted by Phrakru Samulom Pabhassaro, within the upper floor of the temple (for non Thai speakers).

A “Kan” (A mini replica tableaus representing each of the 13 stories, the same manner as the nativity scene at Christmas) is displayed within the main basement of the temple. They are sponsored and decorated by different groups of people and various establishments within the Thai and the Buddhist community. Each will bare a name giving hint to the specific episode being recounted in the story and is accompanied with a “Money Tree” for devotees and visitors to make donations.

Note: It is a Thai traditional belief that each “Kan” has a different moral to the story, and each one comes with a unique blessing. It is believed that if one were to worship a particular Kan, then the blessing that comes with it; is yours to cherish.

At the end of the day, all 13 “Kan” is entered into a competition and judged on its beauty and relevance to the Vassantara story and prizes are given.

Throughout the day, plenty of food and refreshments together with other Thai arts and crafts are on sale in the temple car park.


The Buddhapadipa Temple, Young Buddhist Group of the United Kingdom, and the Lay Buddhist Association have great pleasure in announcing that the ceremony of Vessantara Sermon will be held at the Buddhapadipa Temple, 14 Calonne Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 5HJ.

PROGRAMME

09.00 - 09.45	Sermon on chapter I by Ven. P. Amarathera
09.45 - 10.25	Sermon on chapter II by Ven. P.M. Khemacaro
10.25 - 11.00	Sermon on chapter III by Ven. P.M. Thitacuno
11.00 - 11.45	Sermon on chapter IV by Ven. P.K. Khemadhammo
11.45 - 12.20	Sermon on chapter V by Ven. P.K. Pabhassaro
12.20 - 13.00	Sermon on chapter VI by Ven. P.M. Nanadharo
13.00 - 14.00	Sermon on special chapter in English by Ven. P.K. Pabhassaro
13.00 - 13.45	Sermon on chapter VII by Ven. P.M. Sutamedhi
13.45 - 14.30	Sermon on chapter VIII by Ven. P.M. Pannasiri
14.30 - 15.15	Sermon on chapter IX by Ven. P.M. Yasawattano
15.15 - 16.00	Sermon on chapter X by Ven. P.K. Amarasuddhi
16.00 - 16.45	Sermon on chapter XI by Ven. P.K. Pabhassaro
16.45 - 17.30	Sermon on chapter XII by Ven. P.M. Dhammacaro
17.30 - 18.15	Sermon on chapter XIII by Ven. P. Amarathera

All are cordially welcome. Please bring your friends. The proceeds received from this ceremony will go to the temple fund. Thai traditional food, crafts, music and literature will be sold in the vicinity of the temple.

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