Vesak celebrates religious diversities with multi-ethnic performances
16 May 2008
The Straits Times - Early start to Vesak joy
16 May 2008
Vesak celebrations at Little India kicked off yesterday with multi-ethnic performances and a vegetarian dinner for almost 1,000 guests.
Residents from welfare homes and homes for the aged received hongbao from Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
The event was organised by the Singapore Buddhist Lodge and the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association, with backing from 17 other groups such as the Hindu Endowments Board, the Taoist Federation and Jamiyah Singapore.
A cheque for $100,000, raised by the 19 organising groups, was presented to the Singapore Indian Development Association for its bursary awards.
The slew of events which started yesterday will culminate in a candlelight offering on the field opposite Serangoon Plaza at Serangoon Road on Monday, which is Vesak Day.
Vesak Day commemorates Buddha's birth, enlightenment and attainment of ultimate peace and bliss - called nirvana.
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TODAY - Celebrating religious diversities too
16 May 2008
Guests at the Vesak Opening Ceremony Celebrations and Cultural Show having dinner and enjoying cultural performances. Held at an open field opposite Serangoon Plaza in Little India, the event marks the start of a week-long celebration brought together by 19 organisations, including business entities, religious and cultural communities and people from all walks of life. Vesak celebrations in Little India are unique in that festivities celebrating the universal ideals of the Buddhist doctrine are led not just by Buddhists but by Hindus, Taoists and Muslims. Minister of Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam was the event’s guest-of-honour.
