Buddha festival comes to Bristol

Siddhartha Gautama, the original Buddha, was born in Nepal 400 BC

Buddhists in Bristol are getting together this month to celebrate the Green Tara Festival.

The day of celebration which honours the female Bodhisattva of compassion, Green Tara, will be led by Amaladevi and Karunavapi.

The day will be held at Bristol Buddhist Centre on 22 November 2009 between 10am and 5pm.

It is suitable for those familiar with the two main meditation practices and happy to take part in puja, or worship.

No booking is required and the event is free, but donations are welcome.

Bristol Buddhist Centre celebrates the traditional Buddhist festivals several times a year.

The three main festivals of the year are:

• Wesak, or Buddha Day, which is celebrated at the full moon in May
• Dharma Day which is celebrated at the full moon in July
• Sangha Day which is celebrated at the full moon in November

The centre also celebrates the Parinirvana Festival at the full-moon in February - this commemorates the final passing into Nirvana of the Buddha at his death.

The day-long Sunday festivals often begin with a period or a whole morning of Buddhist meditation, followed by a shared lunch.

Afternoon activities can include talks by members of the Bristol Buddhist Centre Sangha, workshops, question and answer sessions and other activities.

The day traditionally ends with a celebratory puja, or worship, and there is a specially decorated shrine for the festival day.