Open doors to enlightenment

Venerable M Pannaloka Thero at the temple. 168116 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Casey Neill

A Keysborough temple is inviting visitors to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
The Dhamma Sarana Vihara on Greens Road will be beautifully decorated with Buddhist flags, lanterns, oil lamps from Friday 12 May to Sunday 21 May.
The Wesak celebration will also feature an illuminated structure that depicts aspects of Lord Buddha’s life.
“In the evening it is a serene and a beautiful sight,” the temple’s Ranjith Soysa said.
Wesak is the most important Buddhist festival and is celebrated annually on the full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha.
It is said that this was the time of year when Buddha-to-be Siddhattha Gotama was born, was enlightened and became Buddha at age 35, and passed into Nirvana at age 80.