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Significant Buddhist Practice
Wesak
Wesak is an annual celebration of the birth and, in most Buddhist traditions,
enlightenment and death of Buddha. It is the most important event in the
Buddhist calendar. The festival is seen as a time of new beginnings and a
renewed search for enlightenment by many Buddhists.
The name Wesak comes from the month in which these events occurred in
the life of Buddha. The festival is also known as Vesak, Visakha, Vesaka Puja
or Buddha Day.
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 an
individual Buddhists’ Enlightenment.
When
Wesak takes place in the second month of the Buddhist calendar. The exact
date varies according to the various lunar calendars used in different
traditions/countries. The date varies from year to year in the Western
Gregorian calendar but usually falls in May on the first full moon.
It is an annual holiday observed by practicing Buddhists in many Asian countries
like Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Vietnam,
and also Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Question
1) Explain what Wesak celebrates
History
Although festivals at the time of Wesak in the Buddhist world are a centuriesold tradition, at the first Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held
in Sri Lanka in 1950 it was agreed to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday on
Wesak Day.
Just before he died, Buddha saw his faithful attendant Ananda, weeping. The
Buddha advised him not to weep, but to understand the universal law that all
earthy things (including even his own body) must disintegrate. He advised
everyone to pay attention to his teachings (The Dhamma) because only the
Dhamma truth is eternal and not subject to the law of change.
He asked of his followers not to merely make offerings of flowers etc to pay
homage to him but to truly and sincerely strive to follow his teachings. Wesak
is an opportunity for Buddhist to reiterate their determination to lead noble
lives, to develop their minds, to practice loving-kindness and to bring peace
and harmony to humanity.
Question
2) Why did Buddha believe that his teaching was more important than him
personally?
3) What is the main purpose of Wesak?
4) Buddha was specific about how he wanted people to pay homage to
him. Outline what he did and did not want his followers to do.
The celebration of Wesak and the expression of Buddhist beliefs
Wesak is celebrated in various ways around the world. In Thailand caged
birds are released, reflecting the belief that compassion is important. It is an
act of symbolic liberation, or giving freedom to those in captivity. In Australia
many Buddhists celebrate by holding festivals and retreats. In Brisbane the
festival includes the Bathing of the Buddha ceremony, reflecting the
importance to Buddhists of washing away their greed, anger and selfishness.
Monks pour water over the Buddha statue’s shoulders.
A devout Buddhists and followers alike are expected and requested to
assemble in their various temples before dawn for the ceremonial 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 all life is subject to decay and destruction.
Devotees are encouraged to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any
kind and eat vegetarian food for the day. In some countries like Sri Lanka all
liquor and slaughter houses are closed for the two days. This is keeping with
the First Precept. 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 Ten Precepts to train themselves to practice morality,
simplicity and humility.
To symbolise of the events following the Buddha's birth, when devas and
spirits made heavenly offerings to him, some temples also display a small
image of the baby Buddha in front of the altar in a small basin filled with water
and decorate it with flowers, allowing devotees to pour water over the statue.
Chanting and praying are an important part of Wesak. Buddhist are expected
to listen to 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 harmoniously with people, being
respectful of others’ faiths and beliefs as the Buddha had taught.
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. The temple is
often decorated with many lights at this time. These lights symbolise the
enlightenment of the Buddha.
Celebrating Wesak is also a charitable time. Buddhist make gifts of cash and
alike to various charities, making every effort to bring happiness to the
unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick.
Celebrations can be loud and festive with large groups coming together and
enjoying vegetarian banquets. However they can also be the opposite. They
can be a time of contemplation and meditation. This can involve a large
number of people of individuals alone. Silent processions of people may end
the end.
Question
1) Is Wesak celebrated the same all over the world? Give an example of
how Wesak is celebrated in Australia
2) Does Wesak need to be celebrated as a community? Why/Why not?
3) Complete the following table
Practice
Belief
Significance for the individual and community
Wesak provides a time to think about what enlightenment means for the
individual, and their path to further enlightenment. It also is a time to generate
good karma by engaged in merit-making activities such as gift-giving. It is also
a time to be reminded of the history and traditions of Buddhism. Meeting
together with other Buddhists in temples renews a sense of community and
relationships as well as making spiritual and cultural connections.
Question
1) How significant is Wesak to both the individual and Buddhist
community? (1/2 Page)
Essay Practice Question
Use specific examples to demonstrate how Wesak expresses the beliefs
of Buddhism
The Ten Precepts
1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity.
4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which
lead to carelessness.
6. I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden time (i.e.,
after noon).
7. I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing,singing, music, going to see
entertainments.
8. I undertake the precept to refrain from wearing garlands, using perfumes,
and beautifying the body with cosmetics.
9. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping
place.
10. I undertake the precept to refrain from accepting gold and silver (money).