By: GSN General Secretary Mr. Kalsang Gurung
On Sunday 7 June 2009, the vereniging Gurung Samaj Nederland (estd 2009) organised its first social event at Wereldpand in Amsterdam. Although the program started an hour later than the actual schedule, it was a very successful event.
Many Gurung Nepalese and Dutch friends are gathered to commemorate the full moon day of the Buddha Shakyamuni, to honour this one of the most influential and the greatest teacher of our world. The event was also aimed to offer a platform to meet Gurung peoples, to share their knowledge, and to strengthen friendship between the people of Gurung origin and other friends living in the Netherlands. Many of our members were in a traditional Gurung costumes, which is in fact a great sign of preserving our culture and heritage.
The opening of the program was conducted in a traditional Gurung and Buddhist manner, with lighting a candle lamp and incense by the GSN president Mr. Bikash Gurung. All the audience joined recitation of the Buddhist prayer Heart-Sutra (Prajnaparmitahridaya Sutra). And that was followed by reading of a chapter from Golden Light sutra (Suvarnaprabhasottamsutrendraraja) in Nepali language by Mr. Mukta Gurung, an advisor and a senior member of GSN.The vice president Mr. Ram Gurung introduced the newly established “Gurung Samaj Nederland” and its ongoing formal procedures. A very detail and fascinating presentation on history, tradition and culture about “Gurung People in Nepal” was conducted by the president. The General Secretary Mr. Kalsang Gurung presented a short life account of the Buddha and importance of his teachings. At the concluding of this program, the assistant secretary Shiva Gurung thanked all the speakers, volunteers as well as the participants for giving their time and support for the success of this first event organised by the GSN. The event was full of enjoyment with special Gurung lunch and cultural dances until the 6pm in the evening.
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