Vesak Day: How the birth,
enlightenment and death of the Buddha is
celebrated
Lydia
Smith May 27, 2015
International Business Times
Buddhists around the world are celebrating Vesak,
one of the most important days in the Buddhist calendar that is
observed in May or early June. Also known as "Buddha Day", it
commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha,
Siddhattha Gotama. Buddhist scriptures state that each of these
significant events occurred on the full moon of the Indian lunar
month of Vesakha.
This year, the United Nations is observing the day
of Vesak on 1 June, but the date differs depending on the country
or culture. The exact date of Vesak is based on the Asian lunisolar
calendars and is normally celebrated in Vaisakha month of the
Buddhist and Hindu calendars, hence the name Vesak. The older
tradition of Vesak is to celebrate all three events, but some
modern Buddhist groups celebrate just the birth, and others, the
enlightenment.
What is the significance of
Vesak?
The term Buddha is not a name but a title, which can
be translated as the "Enlightened One". He became the Buddha
through his realisation of full enlightenment, a state also known
as nirvana in Sanskrit, or nibbana in Pali – the language of many
of the earlier extant Buddhist scriptures.
As a result of enlightenment, all hatred and greed
is extinguished, so there is no more rebirth. The Buddha achieved
the state of nirvana and this is celebrated on Vesak, so Buddhists
don't usually refer to the Buddha's death but to his passing into
nirvana or nibbana.
In Buddhism, death means rebirth rather than
signifying the end of life. However, it differentiates it from
reincarnation because Buddhism does not recognise a self or soul
that is continually reappearing in a new form.
Tradition states the Buddha himself guided his
followers on how to pay homage to Vesak. Before he died, he saw his
faithful attendant Ananda weeping. He advised him not to cry, but
to understand the universal law that all compounded things –
including his body – must disintegrate. He advised his followers to
regard his teachings, The Dhamma, as their teacher from then on and
to celebrate Vesak by leading noble lives, showing kindness and
bringing peace and harmony to humanity.
How is Vesak observed?
Each Buddhist culture has its own traditions for
celebrating Vesak. In Sri Lanka, colourful lanterns are lit and
light displays depict the life of the Buddha, while in Taiwan,
fragrant water is poured over statues of Buddha. In Singapore,
caged birds are set free.
Celebrating Vesak means making an effort to bring
happiness to the unfortunate, including the aged, the handicapped
and the sick. Temples are adorned with flowers and decorations and
some devotees perform charitable acts – such as donating money or
gifts to the poor.
Devout Buddhists will try to attend their local
temple for part of the day, although some attend for the full day.
Some bring supplies for the temple and symbolic offerings for the
shrine. Meditation, chanting and listening to sermons takes
place.