''Lord Gautam Buddha's 2640 birthday celebration in Colchestrer''

Ladies and gentlemen,

What a fantastic 2640 Lord Gautam Buddha’s birthday celebration we had today at Firstsite.

The day began at around 0845 hours where we began to assemble at Firstsite and decorated the hall, set up chairs. The Statue of Lord Gautam Buddha was delivered by Dan B Garbuja, decorations were conducted by Ladies Coordinator, Usha GURUNG, Rita Magar, Jita Rai, Bhel B Birkata, Sanu Subba, Arjun Sunuwar, Phakta Garbuja, Tam Bahadur Pun, Gopi Tamang and so many others.

We then prepared everything including Mandap, hung Lord Buddha’s large photograph on the wall (provided by Mitra GURUNG) including flashing lights and CNS banner and we were ready by 1030 hours.

At around 1100 hours, the Secretary grabbed the attention of devotees with Buddha Mantra ‘’Buddham Saranam Gacchhami’’ and asked everyone to keep quiet as much as possible; he then made welcome to everyone, followed by House Keeping.

He then asked the Master of the Ceremony Mrs Sanu Subba to take over the running of the 2640 Lord Buddha’s Birthday Celebration.

The Master of Ceremony Mrs Sanu Subba was excellent in every way and she started the Celebration with Buddha Mantra ‘’Buddham Saranam Gacchhami, Dhangam Saranam Gachhami, Sangam Saranam Gachhami’’. She then explained everything about Lord Buddha including where he received his enlightenment and so on. It was fascinating to listen to her and I am glad that we chose her as our Master of the Ceremony.

She then asked our first speaker Ram GURUNG Senior to make his speech about the life, teachings and legacy of Lord Buddha. Ram GURUNG Senior spoke about Lord Buddha so eloquently including his own thoughts and made everyone eager to know more about Lord Buddha, his understanding of the way to remember Lord Buddha and his teachings. It really has enlightened our thought process.

The Master of Ceremony then requested Chairman of the Colchester Buddhist Centre Dharmakari Amalaketu to speak about the life, teachings and legacy of Lord Buddha from his own perspective. The Chairman of Colchester Buddhist Centre started his speech with Buddhist Mantra and spoke about Lord Buddha so well as a Ordained Buddhist and having been to the birthplace of Lord Buddha he was not a stranger to talk about Lord Buddha translated by Angel Shrestha so well.

She then asked Mrs Samasti Tulachan to talk about Buddha Bhajans. Samasti with her excellent knowledge of the Lord Buddha and knowing some of the most excellent ambassadors who chants such a melodious tunes and her ability in Buddha Bhajan Manan has made her speech so enthralling and captured everyone’s attention. I am gobsmacked by her flow and like to thank her on behalf of everyone.

The MC then requested the Chair of Colchester Buddhist Centre to put the devotees through meditation. The Chair being the stalwart of meditation who runs meditation classes at the Colchester Buddhist Centre, he really took us in his wings put us through meditation and taken us to the emptiness and brought us back to the reality. Meditation is such a weapon and it can be used to treat any stress and stress related problems.

She then winded up the celebration asked me to say few words and the day came to close.

In order to achieve any successful day, administration plays a pivotal role for which I like to say my heartfelt thanks to ever green Food Coordinator Rubin GURUNG and his assistant Hari Malla.

I must thank all of the personalities given below for their generosity and willingness who provided such an excellent services for the celebration.

Khir/Rice Pudding - Mina Gauchan, Samasti Tulachan, Karna B Rana and Sovit GURUNG

Tea/Coffee/Milk/Sugar/Biscuits - Mrs Mandy GURUNG and Rubin GURUNG

Purée, Aludam and tarkari - Gurkha Britannia restaurant.

Juice 20 cartons - Shyam Prajapati

Water - Mrs Chair

Cell roti- Mrs Kamala Khatri and Yubaraj Khatri

I also like to thank the bhaktajans who brought along fruits and their donations, has made the day. We managed to collect £362 and we donated £51 to Colchester Buddhist Centre therefore remaining balance is £311 which has been handed over to Food Coordinator for him to handover to Treasurer when he returns from exercise.

Finally I like to thank everyone who turned up today without their generosity, goodwill and willingness the Buddha Jayanti celebration would not have been as successful as it has been.

Well done to everyone.

Many thanks

Udai B Gurung MBE

Chair/Trustee

CNS