The 8th of April 2001 was a day of very special significance for Buddhist Vihara Victoria. Five years ago, a five-acre property was purchased in the scenic suburb of Berwick to construct a beautiful Vihara called Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara. Blending in with the surrounding countryside but built according to ancient tradition, this Vihara will be a
centre for the dissemination of the pure Buddha Dhamma to all those
seeking this knowledge.
During the past five years, trees were planted in the premises but building construction work was not undertaken. Instead, the loan taken for the purchase of the property was paid off with donations received from devotees. Now the property itself is unencumbered and any future loans will be required only for the buildings to be constructed.
On April 8th, a start was made on commencing the construction work with a foundation stone laying ceremony. On this day, at the auspicious moment of 10.29 devotees gathered in their hundreds to place a brick on the site where the first building will be constructed. It was a cold day with a chill wind blowing with a watery sun shining intermittently. In spite of the weather, devotees were arriving from 8.30 in the morning and were
busy helping with the various tasks that needed to be completed
before the ceremony began.
By 10.00 a.m. the monks who had been invited to participate in the ceremony from the different Buddhist Viharas in Melbourne
had arrived. Seats had been prepared for the monks. After observing the five precepts and special short discourses from the assembled monks, the foundation stone laying ceremony began.
The perimeter of the building to be constructed was marked with white sand, which had been spread on the ground. From this the layout of the final building could be seen. Placards were placed stating what each room would be used for. A library, a hall, kitchen, foyer, courtyard, bedrooms, and bathrooms would be constructed as part of the first stage, which was the monks’ residence. Until the other buildings
were constructed, this building would be used for the normal day to
day devotional activities as well as serving as a residence for monks. Buddhist flags, gaily fluttering in the wind, had been placed around the perimeter. Five Buddha statues had been placed on special stands on
which were also placed offerings of flowers, candles, incense, milk and milk rice. At the entrance to the building a moonstone had been marked in white sand. Brass vases also decorated the entrance and foyer.
When the ceremony began,
Bhikkus and devotees placed the bricks they were donating on the line marked by the white sand. As they did this a very light sprinkling of rain, hardly noticeable, fell.
Once the foundation stones had been placed, it was time to offer refreshments to the devotees who had gathered there. Tables groaned with the lavish display of food that had been prepared. Milk rice and
traditional sweetmeats together with cakes had been brought in abundance, and everyone ate their fill. Tea and coffee were also
served and the hot beverages were welcome on a cold day.
The dana for the monks was also offered at the site in a tent specially prepared for the purpose. It had been announced that the function would officially end at two o’clock and devotees kept arriving even after the auspicious time had passed. While a majority of the crowd dispersed after partaking of refreshments, some remained until two to greet and
attend to the late arrivals. By that time the darkening clouds had gathered had the wind had become sharper and stronger. As if on cue,
the rain began to come down harder exactly at two o’clock. The rest of the devotees who had remained behind then left.
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January