Invitation to Celebrate Vesak
Wednesday, May 22

Come and join Two Rivers Insight Meditation Community as we celebrate Vesak, which observes the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away into parinibbana.

We plan to mark the occasion with a special gathering that will include some traditional chanting, meditation, a dharma talk by *Ajahn Nando, a group recitation of significant events in the Buddha’s life, and a ritual known as “washing the Buddha.”

Following this, you are invited to stay for tea — bring dainties to share if you wish — and connect with your dharma friends.

Charitable giving is encouraged during Vesak. Thus you are invited to bring a donation (cash or cheque) for Siloam Mission.

Date: Wednesday, May 22

Time: 7 pm

Location and Directions: Please email nelleoosterom@gmail.com for directions.

What to bring for meditation: There will be chairs but if you wish to sit on the floor during meditation, please bring your own cushion.

*Etiquette around monastics

Did You Know?
• When greeting a monastic (monk or nun) the hands are held palm-to-palm as in prayer in front of the heart and raised to the lowered forehead while bowing slightly. It is a gesture of respect that can be used as a greeting, a goodbye, a thank-you or when speaking with a monastic.
• Under no circumstances should you ever touch a monk or a nun.
• If you decide to approach a seated monastic, make sure to sit down yourself before speaking.
• When in doubt, the easiest way of addressing a monastic in the Thai Forest Tradition is Ajahn ('teacher') in front their name: in this case, Ajahn Nando.
• Monastics are not allowed to touch or handle money so must have an attendant to handle money for them.
• Traditionally, monastics do not eat after the noon meal.