Buddha’s Birthday
Buddha’s birthday is traditionally celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month (April 8th), but we won’t let a little thing like a date get in the way of a good party!
Held at fabulous Federation Square, the 2006 Buddha’s Day & Multicultural Festival has successfully run in Melbourne since 1995. Organised by the Fo Guang Shan Melbourne and Buddha’s Light International Association of Victoria Inc, it aims to celebrate Melbourne’s multicultural diversity by observing traditional Buddhist ceremonies such as “Bathing of the Buddha”, dharma ceremonies, the Wishing Bell and traditional incense offerings. Also on show were art and craft demonstrations, cultural performances on stage, and a food fair.
I took part in one of the craft demonstrations to learn the art of dragonfly knotting. I think the demonstrations were intended for children, but hey, I’m a big kid at heart, right?
This is me and all my thumbs trying very hard in very cold weather to tie tiny knots.
And this is the finished product - my dragonfly!
The food fair down at the Yarra was fantastic. Lots of little hawker type stalls selling noodles, dumplings, buns, yummy things on sticks and yummy things to be eaten with sticks. There were hot soups, chilled bubble teas, curries and vegetarian fare for the more pious Buddhist.
Check out this assembly line of soup noodle ladies. A hot bowl of noodles, vegetables and your choice of meat/tofu - perfect for Melbourne’s very cold weather - for $5.00. Bargain.
I was most impressed by the skill of gentleman making Roti (the thin flaky pastry/bread often served with curries). His deftness with the dough is totally amazing - and darn quick! You can click on the above image to see a short movie of his skill, or click here. I of course sampled his roti with a vegetable curry (I was being pious!). Hot off the grill, it was the best roti I have ever tasted.
Written by mellie on
May 21st, 2006 | Tags: Uncategorized | Category: Uncategorized
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