Dear Friends of the Vihara,
We commemorated the Wesak Full Moon Day in May and now getting ready to welcome Esala Full Moon Day, which marks the Day the Buddha first preached the Dhamma to the world, namely the 5 ascetics at the Deer Park in Isipatana, near Benares, India.
It is a good time to look back at the Wesak celebrations and rejoice on the occasion. The Vihara is grateful to everyone of you who contributed your time, effort and donations to make the Wesak celebration a memorable event. Sit back, enjoy this video clip and rejoice in your merits and reflect on the meaning of Wesak.
Wesak is a thrice blessed day for Buddhists. Why? The birth of the Prince Siddharta Gotama to a royal family in India was in the month of Wesak. This prince later left the palace to seek a way to end suffering for mankind. At the age of 35 years he attained the Supreme Enlightenment to become the All Knowing Buddha unlocking the mystery of life, existence and the endless cycle of birth and death. Since Gotama attained Enlightenment in the month of Wesak, this is the second reason Buddhists celebrate Wesak for this great teacher has taught humankind the way to liberate ourselves from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. Wesak too commemorates the day the Buddha achieved Parinirvana at the age of 80 years, where upon passing away he has ceased his endless cycle of birth and death to achieve ultimate freedom and liberation. So Wesak is a beacon to guide us to attain what Siddhartha Gotama himself has achieved. It is a day to reflect on his teachings which neither harm ourselves nor others.
Some Buddhists commemorate this holy day sitting in meditation or chanting, others go out joyously and translate metta or love for fellow humans by sharing. They sacrifice their time and effort to remind themselves and others of the sacrifice of the Buddha in helping us gain peace and contentment. They give out free food and drinks at Buddhist temples, volunteer their services cooking or giving free books and CDs on Buddhism, or singing hymns in praise of the Buddha and his teachings of liberation. Some take it as an occasion to express their joy by building beautiful arches, decorations in the temple or build beautifully decorated and lit floats carrying the image of the Buddha in a Wesak procession. Wesak candlelight and float processions are a way to honour the Buddha so that others, young and old in enjoying the sight, can join in the rejoicing and appreciation.
The effort in making merit and bringing joy benefits others and this is meaningful contribution to the peace, harmony and well being of society in general. The procession also shows the universal face of Buddhism as it has various races and nationalities joining in the procession including Chinese, Sinhalese, Indians, Thais, Burmese, Nepalese, Bangladeshis, Cambodians, etc
Yours in the Dhamma,
Buddhist Maha Vihara
18 сен 2024
