Friday 7 November
Day Eight - The Wheel of Life
Choose a day:
Photos of the day
Spring and Summer Festival 2009 preview
The Festival Play
The Wheel of Life
The Wheel of Life in the story is the name that best describes the precious drawing given to King Prasenajit by Buddha Shakyamuni. The ‘Wheel of Life’ is a depiction of the suffering of cyclic existence or samsara. By meditating on the profound meaning of the twelve dependent related links in the drawing of the wheel of life, permanent liberation from the suffering of samsara can be attained.
The play focuses largely on King Bimbisara, the brother-in-law of King Prasenajit and a close disciple of Buddha Shakyamuni, who, through his devotion and practice, became a Superior Bodhisattva. The story is one of renunciation – a wish to be free from samsara sufferings. But the story also poignantly reveals the power of Bodhichitta; the blessings of Buddha; and the great power of faith, dedication, and purification.
Quote of the Day
Destroying Samsara
Make effort to destroy it.
Enter into Buddhadharma
Eliminate the Lord of Death
As an elephant destroys a grass hut.
verse from the Wheel of Life
Farewell
The Wheel of Life was performed for Venerable Geshe-la, who, after laud applause, expressed his appreciation for the actors, writers, and designers – people working joyfully to put Dharma teachings into a meaningful and wonderful play.
After the departure of Venerable Geshe-la, the Festival came to a close. There were many hugs and goodbyes as friends departed and a crew of volunteers began with packing up. We will meet again at the next International Kadampa Buddhist Festival in England in May 2009. We hope to see you then!
À bientŏt!
Festival Facts
The Festival play Wheel of Life is based on stories from Joyful Path of Good Fortune by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. It is written, performed and directed entirely by Kadampa practitioners. There were over 20 actors who dedicated over 40 hours of rehearsal time over 7 days, including two full dress rehearsals, in order to perform this play on the last day.
