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Vesak
Monday, 30 April 2007 - 6:10 PM SL Time |  | |
Vesak (Sinhalese) is the most holy time in the Buddhist calendar. In Indian Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the holiday is known by its Sanskrit equivalent, Vaisakha. The word Vesak itself is the Sinhalese language word for the Pali variation, `Visakha`. Visakha/Vaisakha is the name of the second month of the Indian calendar. Vesak is also known as Visakah Puja, Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, Visakha Bucha in Thailand, Phat Dan in Vietnam, Waisak in Indonesia, Vesak (Wesak) in Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and Saga Dawa in Tibet. The equivalent festival in Laos is called Vixakha Bouxa and in Myanmar is called Ka-sone. Vesak is a public holiday in many Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and so on.
The exact date of Vesak is defined according to the astrological calendar, as the time of the Taurus full moon, which corresponds to the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana) and the passing away (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.
The decision to agree to celebrate Vesak as the Buddha`s birthday was formalized at the first Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (W.F.B.) held in Sri Lanka in 1950, although festivals at this time in the Buddhist world are a centuries-old tradition. The Resolution that was adopted at the World Conference reads as follows, `That this Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, while recording its appreciation of the viscous act of His Majesty, the Maharaja of Nepal in making the full-moon day of Vesak a Public Holiday in Nepal, earnestly requests the Heads of Governments of all countries in which large or small number of Buddhists are to be found, to take steps to make the full-moon day in the month of May a Public Holiday in honour of the Buddha, who is universally acclaimed as one of the greatest benefactors of Humanity.`
On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.
On Vesak day, devout Buddhists and followers alike are expected and requested to assemble in their various temples before dawn for the ceremonial, and honorable, hoisting of the Buddhist flag and the singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings), and The Sangha (his disciples). Devotees may bring simple offerings of flowers, candles and joss-sticks to lay at the feet of their teacher. These symbolic offerings are to remind followers that just as the beautiful flowers would wither away after a short while and the candles and joss-sticks would soon burn out, so too is life subject to decay and destruction. Devotees are enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day. In some countries, notably Sri Lanka, two days are set aside for the celebration of Vesak and all liquor shops and slaughter houses are closed by government decree during the two days. Also birds, insects and animals are released by the thousands in what is known as a `symbolic act to liberation`; of giving freedom to those who are in captivity, imprisoned, or tortured against their will. Some devout Buddhists will wear a simple white dress and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe the observance of the Eight Precepts.
Young Buddhist on Vesak Day ParadeDevout Buddhists undertake to lead a noble life according to the teaching by making daily affirmations to observe the eight Precepts. However, on special days, notably new moon and full moon days, they observe additional disciplines to train themselves to practice morality, simplicity and humility.
The Eight Precepts are:
(1)Not to kill
(2)Not to steal
(3)Not to engage in improper sexual activity
(4)Not to indulge in wrong speech
(5)Not to take intoxicating drinks and drugs
(6)To abstain from taking food at unreasonable times
(7)To refrain from sensual pleasures such as dancing, singing and self-adornment
(8)To refrain from using high and luxurious seats in order to practice humility.
Devotees are expected to listen to talks given by monks. On this day monks will recite verses uttered by the Buddha twenty-five centuries ago, to invoke peace and happiness for the Government and the people. Buddhists are reminded to live in harmony with people of other faiths and to respect the beliefs of other people as the Buddha had taught.
Celebrating Vesak also means making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick. To this day, Buddhists will distribute gifts in cash and kind to various charitable homes throughout the country. Vesak is also a time for great joy and happiness, expressed not by pandering to one`s appetites but by concentrating on useful activities such as decorating and illuminating temples, painting and creating exquisite scenes from the life of the Buddha for public dissemination. Devout Buddhists also vie with one another to provide refreshments and vegetarian food to devotees who visit the temple to pay homage to the Blessed One.
Tradition ascribes to the Buddha himself instruction on how to pay him homage. Just before he died, he saw his faithful attendant Ananda, weeping. The Buddha advised him not to weep, but to understand the universal law that all compounded things (including even his own body) must disintegrate. He advised everyone not to cry over the disintegration of the physical body but to regard his teachings (The Dhamma) as their teacher from then on, because only the Dhamma truth is eternal and not subject to the law of change. He also stressed that the way to pay homage to him was not merely by offering flowers, incense, and lights, but by truly and sincerely striving to follow his teachings. This is how devotees are expected to celebrate Vesak: to use the opportunity to reiterate their determination to lead noble lives, to develop their minds, to practise loving-kindness and to bring peace and harmony to humanity.
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Source(s)
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Priyanthy
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30 Apr 2007 11:14:30 GMT Report for Abuse
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I will kill you JRJ....see, after i put something about May day, you came up with Vesak Day :):):)
Just kidding........
Happy Vesak to you :):):) |
JRJayawardena
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30 Apr 2007 11:14:46 GMT Report for Abuse
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I have to say that my usual Vesak starts by making 'Atapattam kuudu'. Since school days, that was something I really enjoyed. I also used to make 'Budu res mala' and with the help of a small motor.
Good times, lets hope everyone gets the message of what the Lord Buddha preached.
May peace be prevailed!
JRJ |
JRJayawardena
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30 Apr 2007 11:18:24 GMT Report for Abuse
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Happy Vesak to you :):):)
Thanks Priya, wish you the same.
I will kill you JRJ....see, after i put something about May day, you came up with Vesak Day :):):)
like minded thinking :) :) :) :))))
JRJ |
karunadase
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30 Apr 2007 11:19:49 GMT Report for Abuse
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JRJ
'Atapattam kuudu', 'Budu res mala' waling wedak nehe.. dansala kohede???? |
JRJayawardena
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30 Apr 2007 11:23:42 GMT Report for Abuse
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Karu,
dansala kohede????
machang apey samahark kollo ewa organise karanawa. mey sare ape mallila ehe danselak karanawa mang hithanne.
Kola kenda, bath, parippu, ala oya hema deyakma thiyenawa.
Elephant house soft drinks thiyenawa.
JRJ |
Priyanthy
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30 Apr 2007 11:24:31 GMT Report for Abuse
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| JRJ, Are you expert in making Vesak koodus?? |
zaharan
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30 Apr 2007 11:28:46 GMT Report for Abuse
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JRJ
Good Work..........Preethi Vesak!
Onna Maru Dansalak....
An ice cream and school stationary dansela organised for the 12th consecutive year by the Millennium Sports Club, Mahara will be held at Jinasena Mawatha, Mahara from 5.30 p.m. on May 2. |
JRJayawardena
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30 Apr 2007 11:33:31 GMT Report for Abuse
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Priya,
Are you expert in making Vesak koodus??
I can easily say that I have over 30 years of experience in that dear.
Since I live in overseas time to time the opportunity is lost somewhat. But get the chance I like a little kid just do that :))
I am very good at making Atapattam kuuduu and then creating baby ones for the mother, Also stars, lotus flowers and small kuuduus too. What I don't do mostly is lighting buckets. My neighbour was an old grandfather used to light buckets always get burnt due to wind and the candles just tilt and catch fire.
JRJ |
JRJayawardena
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30 Apr 2007 11:36:27 GMT Report for Abuse
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Zaharan,
Preethi Wesak my dear too!
Yep, I know how the danselas are getting overcrowded.
Its that feeling during the Wesak time.
And one thing that I cannot ever forget is Mohideen Baig singing 'Buddhang Saranang Gachchami'. Without that song the wesak is missing something.
I am sure even this time it will be there every where.
JRJ |
zaharan
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30 Apr 2007 11:45:11 GMT Report for Abuse
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And one thing that I cannot ever forget is Mohideen Baig singing 'Buddhang Saranang Gachchami'. Without that song the wesak is missing something.
I am sure even this time it will be there every where.
Certainly; Mohideen Baig is almost a forgotten man, but people will atleast remember him on this particular day.
That song is always special.
My Dear 'Pata Podak' walata bohoma isthuti! |
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