2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi
On 29 May 2011, Diamond Way Buddhism has been invited to attend a special event marking the 2600th anniversary of Buddha’s enlightenment. It is being held in London under the leadership of the UK Sri Lankan Sangha Sabha Council, with the participation of other Buddhist organisations and groups in the UK, particularly the Buddhist Society.
The 2600th “Sambuddha Jayanthi” celebration will combine talks on Buddhism given by international speakers, items that highlight the important contributions made by Buddhism in today’s world, and a selection of short cultural performances from different countries that have links to Buddhism.
In connection with the celebration, Lama Ole Nydahl offered the following message, which has been included in the souvenir programme printed for the event:
“Our finest celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment 2600 years ago would be remembering his ultimate teachings of the Great Seal (Skt. Mahamudra):
Mahamudra is the recognition that everything which might constitue an “I” or “self” such as body and feelings is conditioned and impermanent, while that which is timeless and shared by all – mind’s conscious space which allows for and experiences everything – is the same in all. The insight that this conscious space is beyond beginning or end first awakens basic fearlessness. From this manifests self-arisen joy because mind is limitless and can experience all richness, and finally compassion appears because all beings are endowed with this perfection, but so rarely experience it. This again leads to meaningful activity to awaken all.
Yours, Lama Ole from Diamond Way Karma Kagyu”
