What is VESAK?

VESAK marks the commemoration of the Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Passing. Here in Melbourne, various Buddhist communities celebrate VESAK in their own temples on full moon day 5 May, and all get together on SATURDAY 13 MAY for the Victorian United Nations Day of Vesak.

After a lunch for the sangha of many different traditions, there is a procession or Friendship Walk, from 1pm at Parliament Gardens Reserve, to the Melbourne Town Hall.

You are welcome to join the Friendship Walk! Or come anytime 10am -6pm to gaze at our GIANT painting of female wisdom and compassion.


Not seen since 2018 (pre-COVID), we’ll view never-before-seen changes requested by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the original commissioner of the work, and completed by artist Peter Iseli in 2019. Here’s a preview of the central Green Tara’s new face:

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