Today is Buddha Day, or, to give it its Pali name Visakha
Puja, also known as Wesak. This is the day when Buddhists
across the globe celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of
the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. Not all Buddhist traditions
celebrate Buddha Day today, but many do, and here in Thailand it is
the main Buddhist festival of the year (and there are lots!). But
why bother to commemorate the Buddha's life and enlightenment in
this way? Well, it is an occasion that we can use skillfully to
encourage reflection on his life and teachings in relation to our
own existence. And, what's more, it is an opportunity to consider
the debt that we owe him for showing us the way to liberation from
suffering.
The Buddha's birth is a special event, of course, as it is not
often that a fully-awakened one is born into the world. If
Shakyamuni Buddha was never born, then the Buddhadharma would never
have been established for us to use to awaken with.Similarly, if
the Buddha had not realized the cessation of suffering under the
Bodhi Tree, then we too would not know how to do the same.
Furthermore, his apparent demise shows us that rebirth and
continual suffering of these separated selves can be transcended,
allowing the spacious awareness that we truly are to shine forth.
Homage to the Blessed, Noble, and Perfectly Awakened One,
indeed!
To mark this day of days, we need not go to a temple and take part
in rituals if we cannot or would rather not. It's up to us to find
appropriate ways to express our recognition and gratitude to the
Buddha for what he has done for us. Perhaps this might be a simple
ceremony conducted in front of a small shrine at home, or maybe a
brief reflection on his qualities and teachings coupled with
meditation will suffice. Of course, if we do decide to attend a
full-blown public ritual with all the trimmings, then that can be
wonderful too. As long as it's respectful and from the heart, go
for it!
Another way to mark Buddha Day is to recognize the Buddha within.
This, again, is best attempted with a modicum of decorum and a
certain sincerity. Quietly looking home at where you are looking
from, you might notice that where others see your face, and where
you feel it, there is also an awareness that although empty in
itself, is nevertheless full of all that you experience. This
knowing is not your knowing as so-and-so, nor does it belong to
somebody else, such as a god. It is what it is: clarity gazing upon
the world. Staying with this unconditioned wakefulness, every
conditioned thing or process can be observed to arise, exist, and
end, including all these thoughts, memories, emotions, and
sensations that we normally take to be 'me.' What better way than
this, whether we take part in ceremonies or not, to acknowledge the
Buddha. Happy Buddha Day!