This address was the thank you for attending

the Vesak Celebrationat Buu Mon Temple.

This year’s 11^th annual Lotus and Bamboo Festival

was attended by over 3000 people and was held

over the 6^th and 7^{thof June 2009. The temple gardens}

^{are a showplace of Lotus flowers some growing to over}

^{8 feet. The temple has in its water gardens}

hardy and tropical water lilies, and over 30

varies of bamboo.There are over 60 Bonsai plants

and trees in the templeBonsai Greenhouse

maintained by Bhante Kassapa.

Vesak 2553 Address

Welcome to Most Venerable Buddhapala, Most Venerable Abbot,
Venerable monks and nuns who have traveled to be with us today,
Mayor Bobbie Prince,the City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons,
government officials, honored guests.

This year’s Lotus and Bamboo Festival and Vesak have been a success.
The weather has been exceptional. Many people traveled for hours and
are here from cities all over Texas,Louisiana and surrounding areas.

We are all a part of one community. Being here is a growth opportunity not just for the plants in the gardens but for each of us. The experience of living is filled with the opportunity to experience the knowledge of Dharma. The wise person will recognize those opportunities and learn from them. We have come together to celebrate the birth, life and passing of Lord Buddha.

As people we must understand that no single sentient being is an island that exists alone. We are dependant on each other. Our connections go past race, color, religion and creed. It is time to celebrate not just the diversities of ethnic origins but the ways in which we are connected.

The Buddha’s message has always been and will always be the message of compassion. Learning to love and care for ourselves we become a gift to those around us. Let us remember this as we share the Dhamma with those who have taken refuge in the Buddha this year. We are so happy to welcome them into our temple and Buddhist community.

Celebrations are a time of beginnings and renewal. This celebration brings together family and friends, temple and worshipers, new friendships, personal growth and reconciliation. Take time to renew the thoughts of compassion and caring for yourselves and your families.

I would like to thank all of you for coming here today, and for the many people who come into our lives everyday. I pray that your blessings be more than the stars in the sky. May you have Happiness and Joy. May we all have happy minds and grant each other Peace. May we practice compassion and live in harmony with all beings.

“May All Being Have Happy Minds”

I thank you so much for being with us…

BK

Bhante Kassapa Bhikkhu
kassapa.org
bhante_kassapa@yahoo.com