Opening ceremony

 

Backdrop projected onto screen with background chanting voices from various traditions

9:00 am Sangha Procession (three drum rounds and everybody to stand waiting to invite the Sangha)

Buddha name Recitation (in Pali)
One-minute prayer in silence for world peace and harmony

Everybody be seated

Welcoming speech
· Ven Thich Phuoc Tan, chair of the Organising Committee
· Professor Ron Adams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University
· The Most Ven Thich Phuoc Hue, President of The Buddhist Federation of Australia.
· Mr Brian Ashen, Chairman of Buddhist Council of Victoria

"My offering to the Enlightened Beings" Music performed by Hoang Ngoc Tuan

· Guest of Honour Remark (to be confirmed)

Incense offering (by the Guests of Honour)
Three bells to awaken the Buddha mind

Back drop screen is pulled up, curtain drawn to the side to reveal the altar, panel and table behind

Taking refuge to the Buddha (in Pali)
Taking refuge to Dharma (in Tibetan)
Taking refuge to the Sangha (in Chinese)
Merit dedication (in English)

Tea break

Opening of each Day
Saturday and Sunday morning

(7 mins duration)

· 3 bell sounds
· Buddha name Recitation (inPali)
· Sutra Reading
· Guided Meditation (optional)

****

Sunday Program

10-10.30 am 2 papers: one by a Sangha member to reflect on the personal struggling hard to overcome difficult circumstances to propagate the Buddha Dharma and the other paper by a lay person to reflect on his or her personal experience to struggle with life as the same time practice vigorously and transformed in a rather challenging situation.

11.30-1 pm Lunch

1-3.30 pm Group Discussion and summary
5 groups (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen and youth) each from 10-30 people. Topic is similar.)


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Closing Ceremony
3.30pm, Sunday, 22/2/2004

· Expression of feelings and hopes (one Sangha member and one lay member)
· Vote of Thanks
· Gift Exchange
. Merit Dedication

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