Chris Harvey

Once again a thoroughly enjoyable festival, here’s some interesting information from the official website:

Since 1997 the Buddha Birth Day Festival has grown into one of Queensland’s most prestigious cultural events attracting in excess of 150,000 visitors and is now recognized as the largest annual Buddhist Birth Day Festival in the world. This year the Buddha Birth Day Festival is proud to be celebrating its 15th anniversary at The Parklands at Southbank.

I think the first one I went to was in 2006. Even though its very similar to last year I would still like to go every year because its a very nice atmosphere. I really dislike organized religion but I do like Buddhism, particularly Zen Buddhism, I like a lot of the ideas such as the middle way and the stories are interesting too.

Anyway enough of my vague ramblings about that. As usual I took my camera along and I think this has to be one of my best photo albums, mostly in terms of consistency. You can view my Buddha’s Birthday 2011 photos album. The highest quality version is here for those who take copies.

I like these iconic Red Lanterns that are all over Southbank during the festival.

I had to get in the middle of things to take this photo, they look so awesome.

Monks

At the Suncorp Piazza there’s a big area for various ceremonies. You can bathe the buddha there.
From Bathing Buddha Procedure

This ritual is to improve harmony & inner balance:

1. Please kneel on cushion
2. Fill ladle & pour water over small Buddha statue 3 times
3. While pouring water, say:* 1st wash: “May I eliminate all evil thoughts”
   * 2nd wash: “May I cultivate good deeds”
   * 3rd wash: “May I help save all living beings”

Big Display for bathing the Buddha

I think these monks were helping set up the tranquil garden.

Monks near Big Wheel

I really like this photo, theres interesting people in it. I’m not sure what it looks like they are talking about but they were talking for ages and very friendly with each other, I think he was helping organize space or help with moving heavy things using machinery either way it looked like they got on really well.

Monk and labourer

A film crew was interviewing a couple of people in the Suncorp piazza and 3 or 4 noisy miner birds kept chirping and fighting with each other so this woman decided to chase them off, the funny thing was that they just flew around her straight back to the spot they were fighting. I like this photo, I’m not sure what it is about it. I think her boots and the ribbon in her hair are nice.

Young woman chases bird

I also recorded a short video called Lion Dance – Buddhas Birthday 2011. An interesting thing is that my video from last year called Lion Dance at Buddhas Birthday 2010 has 6,222 views and I have no idea why. That many views puts it in my top 5 viewed videos.

Many people have told me about temple, I hope one day I could go there and learn more as well as take some photographs but Im not sure how they would feel about that. I also learnt a new word, I dont know the spelling but it sounds to me like schyeah schyeah, it means thank you.

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