Download Thus, so the legend runs, The Buddha returns once a year to bless

Wesak
Vesak: In Buddhist tradition it is the date not only of the Buddha's birth, but also of his Enlightenment and death. The full moon
day of the month corresponding to May in our calendar.
Wesak or Vesak: A lunar month corresponding to the Western April-May. The Festival at the Full Moon commemorates the
Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Passing.
Wesak is a Buddhist festival celebrating the birthday of Buddha. It takes place during the time of the full moon in
the star sign of Taurus. http://www.firstschoolyears.com/re/buddhism/festivals/wesak.htm
Mahayana* Buddhists observe the three pivotal events of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing on
separate occasions, whereas for Theravadin** Buddhists all of these events are celebrated during the festival
of Wesak, also known as Vesahka puja or Buddha Day. It is particularly observed in Southeast Asian
countries such as Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand, where temples will be adorned with lanterns to symbolize
the enlightenment. In some places there is a ceremonial release of caged birds in remembrance of the
Buddha’s compassion. Buddhists will visit the local temple for services and teaching, and give offerings to the
monks of food, candles and flowers.
http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/ealing/web/EGFL1/teaching_learning/subjects/REandSACRE/Festival_calendar/May/Wesak.htm
Vesak: Buddhism's Holiest Day
Vesak is the holiest day in Buddhism. On this day are celebrated the birth, the Enlightenment, and the death
of the Buddha. This day is usually in the middle or last two weeks of May.
Buddhists the world over rejoice and ponder this day, which is itself a symbol of rejoicing and pondering.
Celebrations can be large affairs, filled with (vegetarian) food, animals, and festivals, or small remembrances,
filled with meditation. Silent marches or meditations in the evening end the daylong celebration.
This holiday goes by other names as well, among them Buddha Purinama, Wesak, and Visakha Puja. The
name may be different, but the reason for celebrating is the same.
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/holidays/vesakarticle.htm
'Dragons dance and caged birds fly free'
Buddhists light candles to celebrate the Wesak festival
Wesak, which falls on the first full moon in May, is celebrated in lots of different ways in countries like China and Indonesia.
Wesak celebrates the birth and death of Buddha. Buddhists don't believe that Buddha was a god. He was a person who
reached what is called ‘Enlightenment’ by meditating. Enlightenment is a very peaceful state in which Buddha was able to
understand the truth behind everything.
To give thanks to Buddha, people bathe his statue as a way of making themselves clean, inside and out. Having a pure heart
and mind is important to Buddhists.
But there are many ways to praise Buddha at Wesak. In China, dragons are a traditional part of their culture and so having them dance in
the streets is a great way to honour Buddha.
Peaceful activities, such as making origami shapes (by folding pieces of paper to make amazing, intricate models) and floating them down a
stream, or releasing birds from cages, have meaning on Wesak. They represent letting go of your troubles - and feelings of freedom and
happiness should follow. http://www.globalgang.org.uk/reallife/faithfile/festivals_buddhist.html
Wesak
Thus, so the legend runs, The Buddha returns once a year to bless the world, transmitting
renewed spiritual life, through The Christ. Slowly then The Buddha recedes into the
distance, until again only a faint speck can be seen in the sky, and this eventually
disappears. The whole ceremonial blessing, from the time of the first appearance in the
distance until the moment The Buddha fades out of view, takes just eight minutes.
The Buddha's annual sacrifice for humanity (for He comes back only at great cost) is over,
and He returns again to that high place where He works and waits. Year after year He
comes back in blessing; year after year, He and His great brother, The Christ, work in the
closest cooperation for the spiritual benefit of humanity. In these two great Sons of God
have been focussed two aspects of divine life, and They act together as Custodians of the
highest type of spiritual force to which our humanity can respond. Through The Buddha, the
wisdom of God is poured forth. Through The Christ, the love of God is manifested in
humanity, and it is this wisdom and love which pour forth upon humanity each Wesak full
moon.
When The Buddha has again disappeared, the crowd rise to their feet; the water in the bowl
is distributed in tiny portions to the Masters, initiates and disciples, and they then go their
way to their place of service. The crowd, who have all brought their little cups and vessels
of water, drink of them and share with others. In this beautiful "water ceremony of
communion" is portrayed the symbol of the new age which is upon us, the Aquarian Age,
the age of the Water Carrier.
In this ceremony is perpetuated for us the story of the universality of God's love, the need
for our individual purification, and the opportunity to share with each other that which
belongs to all. The water, which has been magnetized by the presence of The Buddha and of
The Christ, carries certain properties and virtues of a healing and helpful nature.
Thus blessed, the crowd silently disperses.
- From "The Wesak Festival" booklet by Alice A. Bailey, published by Lucis Trust
http://www.souledout.org/wesak/wesaklegend2.html
Wesak
Find this year's date in the multifaith calendar
Wesak is the most important of the Buddhist festivals and is celebrated on the full moon in May. It celebrates the
Buddha's birthday, and, for some Buddhists, also marks his birth and death.
Buddha literally means 'one who is awake' and has become enlightened. It is a term that denotes a person who
has attained the supreme wisdom and compassion of Enlightenment.
To Buddhists Enlightenment is a blessed state in which the individual attains Nirvana - the transcendence of
desire and suffering.
Woman lighting incense at Buddhist temple ©
Buddha's disciples
Many of Buddha's disciples have attained Enlightenment, and there have been many other Enlightened teachers.
The celebration of Wesak is a chance to remember the story of how the Buddha gained Enlightenment, and to
reflect on what it might mean for individual Buddhists to move towards Enlightenment themselves.
Celebrations
The festival is celebrated with much colour and gaiety. Homes may be cleaned and decorated. In Thailand, for
example, special Wesak lanterns are made of paper and wood, and often there a large ceremonial releases of
caged birds.
In many countries during the festival, Buddhists will visit their local temple for services and teaching, and will
give offerings to the monks of food, candles and flowers.
Traditional dancer at Buddhist shrine ©
Chanting and praying are an important part of Wesak. The 'Bathing the Buddha' ceremony is also often included.
Water is poured over the shoulders of the Buddha and serves as a reminder to purify the mind from greed, hatred
and ignorance.
Chinese Buddhists incorporate elements of their country's culture into their religious celebrations like the
traditional dancing dragons.
Gifts are taken to an altar to be offered to the Buddha statues. This shows respect and gratitude to the Buddha for
his life and teachings.
If there is food it is usually vegetarian as Buddhists try not to harm animals.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/wesak.shtml
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
History
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 gracious 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.
The celebration of Vesak
May 2007 has two full moon days, the 2nd and the 31st. Some countries (including Sri Lanka, India and Malaysia)
will celebrate Vesak on the 2nd, while others (Thailand, Singapore) will celebrate the holiday on the 31st.
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 josssticks 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 Parade
Devout 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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Not to kill
Not to steal
Not to engage in improper sexual activity
Not to indulge in wrong speech
Not to take intoxicating drinks and drugs
To abstain from taking food at unreasonable times
To refrain from sensual pleasures such as dancing, singing and self-adornment
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.
Bringing happiness to others
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.
Paying homage to the Buddha
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.
Related holidays
A similar holiday, called Hanamatsuri or "Flower Festival", is celebrated in Japan on April 8. However,
Hanamatusuri commemorates only the Buddha's birth. In Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea, the 8th day of the
fourth moon in the Chinese calendar is a public holiday, as the "Buddha's Birthday".
External links




The Significance of Vesak - Buddha Day
Vesak 2007 article
Vesak festival - Vesak Thorana (pandol)
Buddha-marga, Way of Buddha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesak
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 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."
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
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=6,4043,0,0,1,0
Vesak - Buddha Day
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One of the major Buddhist festivals is Vesak (also Wesak andVisakha) which takes its name from the month in which the Buddha was
supposedly born, won enlightenment and passed into nibbana.It is usually celebrated in May and is also known as Buddha Day. It is
particularly strong in the Theravadin tradition in countries such as Sri Lanka, Burmaand Thailand. In such places temples will be adorned
with lanterns, light symbolizing the Buddha's enlightenment, and lay followers will involve themselves inacts of generosity, meditation and
observing extra precepts. Besides these opportunities for extra devotion, what significance does Vesak have?
A Special Human Being
First it celebrates the birth of a unique and very special human being.The Buddhawas born into a life of privilege and pleasure, surrounded
by all that one could wish for in a material sense.
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Although his mother died soon after he was born, there seems little doubt that he was loved and cherished by his family. His father hoped
that one day his son was succeed him as the head of his people. As he grew up, he experienced much that -on the face of it - should make
one happy. But despite all this, there was something gnawing away at him, a sense thatall these natural pleasurescould not last and would
one day vanish. He saw himself, hisfather, his wife, his child and, indeed, all mankind,subject tothe vicissitudes of life - old age, sickness and
death.Hissense of desolation in the face of thisawareness must have been acute. Why else would he have been prepared to leave it all
behind?
Enlightenment
Second, it celebrates the Buddha's awakening. After six years of hardship and continual striving the Buddha finally gained enlightenment.
The profundity of this experience left him in no doubt that he had achieved final knowledge, that there was something beyond the cycle of old
age, sickness and death, that there was an end to suffering.As he sat meditatingunder the Bodhi tree, he realized that he had beenreborn
many times; that all beings were reborn according to their deeds; that suffering was fueled by craving and that there was a means of bringing
this suffering to an end. What comes through in the scriptures is the Buddha's absolute certainty that he had attained ultimate realization
andthat he knew the precise means by which others could attain it too. The Buddha's enlightenment experience, therefore, is a beacon of
hope - enlightenment is possible and you don't have to be superhuman or a god to walk the path that leads to it.
Parinibbana
Third, it celebrates the Buddha's final passing into nibbana (referred to as his parinibbana). The Buddha died. But as he lay dying, there was
no miraculous transformation, no magical ascension into heaven, no inexplicable escape. His death was ordinary - possibly from food
poisoning. He died, just as all people must die. This was what he taught. In other ways his death was extraordinary as it was at this point he
was freed from the circle of life and death, freed from suffering, totally liberated in nibbana. His final words were simple and direct: 'All things
are impermanent - strive on with diligence'.
Buddha Day, therefore, is a day to remind oneself of the Buddha's example, of what is possible and what it is that is worth striving for! It is a
day for focusing the mind on just what a remarkableindividual the Buddha was, and what an amazing example he gave to the world of what it
means to be a complete human being.
Suggested Reading
The Life of the Buddha
Buddhist Festivals
The Four Noble Truths
http://buddhism.about.com/cs/festivals/a/Vesak.htm
Wesak
http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/ealing/web/EGFL1/teaching_learning/subjects/REandSACRE/RE_spotlight/Festivals/J
une/June_Buddha.htm