World Peace Day & Buddha’s 2556th Birthday Celebration, Princeton, New Jersey-USA
Sunday, May 6th, 2012
A Samadhi (meditation posture) statue of the Buddha was unveiled on the grounds in September 2009. This Buddha Statue is the largest in the Western hemisphere. Since the unveiling of the statue, the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara & Meditation Center has become a landmark attracting a steady stream of visitors throughout the year.
Buddha Day is celebrated in all Buddhist communities and countries around the world. It honors the three most important events in the life of Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment, and the attainment of Nirvana at his death.
The Buddha Day celebration seeks to unite our community with his message of inner happiness and universal peace.
In collaboration with various local organizations several activities were presented at the World Peace Day & Buddha’s Birthday Celebration, held at the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara & Meditation Center on Sunday, May 6th, 2012. The event included: Walking Meditation, Peace Pole dedication, World Peace Flag Ceremony and Interfaith Peace Prayer.
A special Peace Pole Dedication and World Peace Prayer & Flag Ceremony was presented by Ann Marie Robustelli, Assistant Director at The World Peace Sanctuary.
Ms. Robustelli opened with this prayer from Buddha, “Better than a thousand hollow versus, is one word that brings peace.” “May Peace Prevail On Earth is the Universal Peace Message & Prayer of The World Peace Prayer Society.
Ms. Robustelli gifts desktop Peace Poles to Buddhist Monks
Jim Dugan, Sanctuary Manager at The World Peace Sanctuary presents Certificate to The NJ Buddhist Vihara.
Tulsi R. Maharjan, Ph.D. and President of the Friends of Nepal- NJ- read aloud the Proclamations from Senator Christopher Bateman, Congressman Rush Holt and Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula.
Sponsoring Organizations included Friends of Nepal – NJ, Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition, Rotary International District 7510, The World Peace Prayer Society, NJ Buddhist Vihara, Franklin Township Interfaith Council and many other local interfaith organizations.