NEWS - Performance Printing

1 in 3Ottawabusinesses areparticipatingAre you?NEWSConnected to your communityVesak Day proclaimed by mayor at Buddhist TempleContinued from page 1Such walking meditation is consideredmore difficult than sitting meditation. It involvesbeing mindful of posture and the actof walking, being aware of lifting one footand then the other while focused as well onyour breathing. All this helps the mind concentrateand the body relax.The meditation garden includes the presenceof seven statues of the Buddha, eachone representing the Buddha as seen in adifferent culture – Cambodia, Thailand,Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Japan and Taiwan.They are all a little different in formor appearance (colours vary from gold towhite to red, for instance) but there theyall are, lined up and overlooking this newmeditation garden and path.Part of last Saturday’s Vesak Festival atthe Cambodian Buddhist Temple was anexhibition and competition of lanterns, withmore than 15 displayed under a canopy tentthat was adorned with miniature versions ofthe International Buddhist flag. This flag,designed in 1885, features six colours –blue for loving kindness and universal compassion;yellow for the middle path; red forwisdom and dignity; white for liberation;orange for the Buddha’s teachings; and asixth colour mixing these other five colours,known as the essence of light.Lanterns have been used in the Buddhistfaith for up to 2000 years, mainly as a portablelighting device. Over the centuries,these lanterns have evolved to become moredecorative and ornamental, as evidenced bythose at this display at the Temple last Saturday.Those at this Vesak Festival 2013 at theCambodian Buddhist Temple on HazeldeanRoad in Stittsville also got to witness andenjoy a traditional Cambodian dance, presentedby a costumed and masked expertdancer, Savan Yim.The 125 in attendance, including HighCommissioner Wagiswara, mayor Watsonand councillor Qadri, watched as the dancerperformed to recorded music on a grassedarea adjacent to the Temple’s parking lotand in front of a display which featured theInternational Buddhist flag and the flag ofthe United Nations. It was in 1999 that theUnited Nations first officially recognizedVesak Day, observing it at its headquartersand offices.The Vesak Festival at the CambodianTemple in Stittsville also involved chantingby Buddhist monks from Cambodia,Sri Lanka and Thailand earlier in the day;the serving of Ceylon tea and cookies complimentsof the High Commission for SriLanka following the afternoon’s officialceremonies and activities; and a pot luckvegetarian dinner in the evening followingthe lighting of the lanterns.Vesak Day marks the birth, enlightenmentand passing away of Lord Buddha, allof which took place on the same day, albeitin different years. As High CommissionerHer Excellency Chitranganee Wagiswarasaid in her remarks last Saturday, Vesak Dayis one of the most important events on theBuddhist calendar around the world, comingat the time of the full moon in the monthof May. She expressed pleasure at seeingVesak Day being celebrated in Canada, sofar from her home country of Sri Lanka.She thanked the Canadian government forfostering a climate where people are ableto practice the religion of their choice inCanada.In Cambodia, Vesak Day is celebratedthroughout the country, with people gatheringat various Temples to spend the dayin religious activities including a candle litprocession in the evening.The Sirin Foundation, founded by VisitaLeelaratna, is dedicated to making a differentin the lives of the less fortunate in SriLanka, especially through education.The Sirin Research Centre, which is associatedwith the Sirin Foundation, is anorganization that works to foster knowledgeand understanding between Canadians andthe Sri Lankan people. It works to raise thelevel of public understanding with regard todiversity and multiculturalism and tries toreduce discrimination.FREEenergy assessment,up-to $1,500 ofenergy-efficientlighting, and atouchscreen,programmablethermostat.Take the challengehydroottawa.comFunded by the Ontario Power Authority and offered by Hydro Ottawa.OMOfficial Mark of the Ontario Power Authority. Used under sublicence.4 Stittsville News EMC - Thursday, May 30, 2013R0012064608JOHN CURRY/METROLANDHer Excellency Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara, High Commissioner for SriLanka in Canada, is with city of Ottawa Stittsville ward councillor Shad Qadri,right, at the Vesak Day celebrations at the Cambodian Buddhist Temple onHazeldean Road in Stittsville last Saturday, May 25.Doors Open coming up at Goulbourn MuseumContinued from page 1This is a free city-wide program that providespeople with the opportunity to visit123 different locations in the city, some ofwhich, like the Goulbourn Museum’s artefactstorage area, are not normally open tothe public.This is the first time that the GoulbournMuseum has participated in both days ofthe Doors Open Ottawa program. In previousyears, the Goulbourn Museum has onlyparticipated on the Sunday.This year, though, the Goulbourn Museumwill be taking part on both days, Saturday,June 1 and Sunday, June 2, from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.The Goulbourn Museum and HistoryJOHN CURRY/METROLANDSeven year old Udara Leelaratna showsthe lantern which he made and which wason display in the lantern exhibition andcompetition at the Vesak Day celebrationsat the Cambodian Buddhist Temple onHazeldean Road in Stittsville last Saturday,May 25.Centre is housed in the 1872 GoulbournTown Hall and adjacent 1961 Clkerk’sBuilding. Originally a wooden structure,the exterior of what is now the Museum wasclad in cement block around 1930. The interiorstill has tongue and groove walls andceiling. The Goulbourn Museum is locatedat 2064 Huntley Road at Stanley’s Corners,just south of Stittsville.