On Saturday May 5, 2012, we celebrated Buddha’s 2556th Birthday
and His Enlightenment & Parinirvana
Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated on this Full Moon Day in the Newar and Southeast Asian traditions friends arrived for chanting and dancing, observing/meditating…and eating.
We began with the traditional Newar ritual done on this day of "Buddha Jayanti" which includes chanting the Namasamgiti (a form of Manjushri) in Sanskrit while lighting 108 butter lamps.
Following the Namasamgiti, we danced the Refuge Prayer Dance 108 times.
Those who knew the dance performed surrounding 108 illuminating butter lamps; and those who observed did know the song and dance by the end of it! Many were simply sitting/meditating.
Afterward, a traditional style Newah kheer (rice pudding) and other dishes was served.
It was a wonderful celebration together!