On Sunday, 5 March 2023, Cape Town Meditation Centre organized the lighting up candle ceremony due to Magha Puja day. (Actually, on Monday, 6 March 2023 but we shifted the date earlier for everyone can join)
Even though it was raining, everyone was relentless in coming to the ceremony and collecting the merit.
The ceremony was held at 4 pm. – 6.30 pm. This ceremony consists of three parts which are taking five precepts, meditation sessions, and candlelight procession. The ceremony started with the master of ceremonies leaded everyone to pay respect to the triple gem by bowing three times and chanting. After that, the master of ceremonies Leaded to ask for five precepts. Next, the representatives said the candle offering word and offer the candle to the presiding monk. Then the monk gives some sermons in English and Thai versions.
The monk is talk about lasting happiness. Whether we are different nationalities and religions, but all of us always seek the same happiness. Now we know the way to find happiness, but other people and society around us should know this also for creating true and lasting peace. As I (the speaker monk) and other monks, we are the peace spreader. We were taught that we don’t do any bad things, do only good deeds, and always purify our minds, which could make world peace happen. Because the mind is the origin of every thought, every word, and every action. These three outputs of humans will be good or bad, it depends on the quality of mind. So, to have good thoughts, words, and actions, we should start with our mind by applying the taught to our daily life. And the monk leaves a quote before leading all participants to meditate together “Before we light up a candle of peace, we should light up the fire of peace in our mind first.”
In the meditation session, the monk guides everyone to meditate by using relaxation and mindfulness techniques. The meditator should sit in a comfortable posture to allow the body to relax for a long time, when the body is relaxed the mind is easily calm. Next, the meditator should be free of all responsibility and things. And maintain consciousness throughout the session. The monk gives a repeat mantra technique by using the word “Samma Arahang”, which means far from bad things. The mantra technique is repeating a word in your mind, it helps you to focus on meditating and it could be any word that you feel comfortable with. During you meditate, the mind will calm and purify itself.
After meditating, the presiding monk lit up the candle and give the lighters to the participants then they lit the candle together as the symbol of spreading peace to the whole world. Finally, the participants meditate by walking together.
