Tuesday, 29 May was the International Buddhist Festival of Vesak, a day which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing into Parinirvana of the Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago. Held on the full moon day in May, the day is marked in Buddhist countries around the world with various festivities.

This year Vesak was celebrated in Malta too, by a newly formed group of Buddhist practitioners, Bodhicitta Malta. Hailing from different countries, traditions and schools, and with varying levels of experience, 15 people gathered to pray, read, meditate and do yoga. A Tsog (wheel of accumulation) was kindly offered and shared by members.

This was the second Buddhist activity by the organisers this year. The first, held between 26 and 28 March, was the visit of Chamtrul Rinpoche to Malta and his talks at the Valletta Campus Theatre, for which more than a 100 people attended on each day. On this occasion, the need for an organised Sangha (group of Buddhist practitioners) to support individuals in their practice was often expressed and for this reason, Bodhicitta Malta was formed.

Bodhicitta Malta is currently in process of registration as a VO and can be contacted at [email protected]