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WOODSTOCK – Holding brightly colored lanterns and flags – with some carrying a statue of Buddha – Buddhists from around the world marched through the Square on Saturday night, spreading their message of peace.
The Woodstock Vishaka 2009 Buddha Day Celebration brought monks from around the globe, Buddhists from around the county, and others just interested in finding out more about the religion to the celebration at Congregational Unitarian Church in Woodstock.
Inside the church, monks guided guests through the Loving Kindness Meditation, repeating, “May all living beings be happy and peaceful.’’
That is what being a Buddhist is about, said Blue Lotus Temple member Hope Martin of Crystal Lake.
“It’s exactly the peace of mind I’ve been looking for,’’ she said. “It’s the honesty and the peacefulness – the peacefulness that comes from meditation makes everything else go into perspective.’’
The annual celebration honors the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, temple member Kristin Hannah said. Learning from his example, Buddhists find answers to their problems in themselves, not by seeking the advice of others, she said.
“We all have the answers within,’’ Hannah said. “It is amazing what it has done to my life.’’
Sleepy Hollow resident and treasurer of the temple Bill Reddy said Blue Lotus provided “a place for everyone to come and practice their own meditation – if you can just quiet your mind down.’’
Brandon Kuesis of Johnsburg just came out to see what the festival was about.
“I was actually really surprised to see something like this in McHenry County,’’ he said. “This is exactly what we need; it’s very refreshing. It’s nice to have a festival like this where everyone is invited.’’
Blue Lotus meeting places include Congregational Unitarian Church in Woodstock, Church of Religious Science in Cary, Nirvana Yoga Studio in Barrington, and Yoga Seva Studio and Akasha Yoga, both in Crystal Lake.
Source: http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2009/05/17/r_l2dmcfnrqhkjwwfznctnuq/index.xml