What is Vesak?
The Buddhist Channel, April 30,
2007
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- 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. Due to the leap year in the lunar calendar,
Vesak is celebrated on both May 1 and 31 in 2007 (varies according
to countries).
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.
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.
The exact date of Vesak is defined according to the astrological
calendar, as the time of the full moon of Taurus, which corresponds
to the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana) and the passing away
(Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. According to the Chinese Lunar
calendar, Vesak is usually celebrated on the full moon day of the
fourth month.
For this year 2007 however, there are two full moon days in the
month of May. Some countries have opted to celebrate on the first
full moon (May 1) based on the resolution passed at Conference of
the World Fellowship of Buddhists in 1950, whereas others have
chosen to do so on the second full moon day (May 31), based on the
traditional chinese calendar.
The decision to agree to celebrate Vesak as the Buddhas 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."
Vesak trivia
Official name: Visakah Puja; Vaishaka; Buddha Jayanti; Buddha
Purnima; Visakha Bucha; Wesak; Saga Dawa
Also called: Buddha's Birthday or Buddha Day
Significance: The birth, enlightenment and passing away of
Buddha
Date: First full moon of the Taurus, in May (common years) or June
(leap years); Full moon on the fourth month of the Chinese lunar
calendar
Where Vesak is celebrated in 2007 (brackett denotes what the public
holiday is called in each respective country).
May 1: Sri Lanka (Vesak), Malaysia (Wesak), Cambodia (Visaka Bochea
- Buddha Day), Myanmar (Kason Full Moon - Buddha Day)
May 2: Nepal - (Buddha Jayanti - Buddha Day), Laos - (Vesak), India
(Buddha Purnima - Buddha Day), Bangladesh (Buddha Purnima - Buddha
Day)
May 24: Hong Kong (Buddha's Birthday), South Korea (Seokka
Tanshin-il - Buddha's Birthday), Macau (Buddha's Birthday), Taiwan
(Buddha's Birthday)
May 31: Singapore (Vesak), Thailand (Visakha Bucha Day)
June 1: Bhutan (Buddha Day), Indonesia (Waisak - Buddha Day)
Observances: Meditation, sutra chanting, blessing ceremonies, acts
of generosity (dana), partaking in vegetarian food, giving to
charity
Related to: Hanamatsuri
