The Festival Of Lights

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Created on Tuesday, 08 December 2015 19:30

Written by Kaitlyn Manktelow

 BARNET- With the holiday season getting closer people are stringing lights up on their houses and Christmas trees. However, this past Friday at the Milarepa Center, Buddhists used light offerings to relieve the pain of those suffering.

"The Festival of Lights" is used to celebrate the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa; the founder of the center's Tibetan Buddhism lineage. According to the Spiritual Program Coordinator, Kira Anderson, December 4th marks the day when Tsongkhapa fufilled his calling. "In his lifetime, he was fully enlightened, and this is the anniversary of the day he died at at which point he gained full enlightenment," says Anderson.

During Tsongkhapa's birth in 1357, a drop of his mother's blood is said to have fallen on the ground and according to the religion; a white sandlewood tree with a hundred leaves grew in that exact spot. According to Buddhism's followers; Buddha himself predicted the birth of Tsongkhapa. Buddhists believe that following Trsongkhapa's teachings are important to finding elightenment in their lives.

In addition to the light offerings, the event also included a prayer circle. Which according to Felicity Keeley, the director of Milarepa, they were "praying for world peace and for good energy in the world".

Tsongkhapa spent his life trying to fufil the ideals of his religion; travelling and teaching his beliefs to others. This is why followers at the Milarepa center believe differences should always be discussed and shared as everyone has different views. "It's important that we all share our different ideas, our different interests, and the way that we go about bringing more peace and love into the word", says Keeley.

Anyone wishing to obtain more information on Buddhism at the Milarepa Center is invited to visit their website, www.milarepacenter.org