ABC Radio live broadcast to Cambodia on New Year Day at Wat Buddharaingsi Melbourne
Wat Buddharangsi Melbourne celebrated the New Year, Year of the Rooster, Buddhist Era 2549, Christian Year 2005, with a difference. As usual, the three day celebration gathered big crowds from all over Melbourne.
The religious ceremony takes prominent place in the celebration with the generous offering to the venerable monks and such abundance of traditional Khmer delicacies.
The tradition of building the sand mounds is also an important part of the occasion. The sand mounds signify the universe and Mount Kailas, where the mythical Kabil Mahabrahma's head (the tale of New Year) is kept for worshipping and for marking each New Year.
The third day of the celebration is signified by the inauguration of the sand mounds and the washing of the image of Buddha and washing the feet of Buddhist monks and community elders to ask for forgiveness, and as a form of showing gratitude for their holding of the community spirit together.
Usually, Wat Buddharangsi Melbourne embraces the Khmer traditions and culture with classical dance, New Year games and songs as well as the performing of modern music and songs. And during the occasion, delicious Cambodian food is also available.
This time, the Year-Rooster at Wat Buddharangsi Melbourne crowed with a difference. We were asked to host the live broadcast, to Cambodia, of Khmer (Cambodian) Service, Radio Australia, ABC, on the third day of the celebration. The event was a success, raising the awareness of the Khmer community of the existence of the radio service for Cambodia. The broadcast also provided some entertainment for the community taking part in the celebration, with representatives from different Khmer community organisations in Melbourne as well as people within the Wat's compound participating in the broadcast itself.
Wat Buddharangsi Melbourne wishes all people longevity, good complexion, happiness, strength and wisdom in the Year of the Rooster, Buddhist Era 2549, 2005.
