A day of joy, peace, and reflection, Vesak is observed by Buddhists in different parts of the world. However, it is traditionally celebrated by Buddhists in Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other South East Asian countries.
What is Vesak Day? 9 Things Which You Probably Didn’t Know
Inner peace and reflection are important components of Vesak Day celebrations
1. Vesak is the most significant day in the Buddhist calendar
Vesak Day is the most important date in the Buddhist lunar calendar. It celebrates three major events in the life of the Buddha: his birth, his attainment of Enlightenment, and his passing into Nirvana. According to Buddhist scriptures, each of these occurred on a full moon in the lunar month of Vesak.
2. Doing good deeds is an essential part of the celebrations
On Vesak Day, Buddhists reaffirm their commitment to living a moral and compassionate lifestyle; many of them believe that performing good deeds on this particular day will multiply merit many times over.
On this day, vegetarian meals are consumed and caged birds and other animals are released as a symbolic gesture of compassion.
Showing kindness to those less fortunate than yourselves through acts of sharing food, blood donations, etc. are also part of the celebration. Good deeds like these, whether by individuals or temples, are known as “Dana.”
Many Buddhists head to the temple to join others in a day of chanting and prayers
3. Mahayana and Theravada Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day differently
The majority of Chinese Buddhists in Singapore are Mahayana Buddhists. Mahayana temples such as Phor Kark See Temple on Bright Hill Road, practise the “three-step, one-bow” ritual on Vesak Day, where devotees take steps on both knees, bowing at every third step as they pray for world peace, personal blessings, and repentance.
The Theravada Buddhists, mainly comprised of Singapore’s Burmese and Sri Lankan communities, worship at the Burmese Buddhist Temple at Geylang and the Sri Lankaramaya Temple at St. Michael’s Road, respectively.
Here, Vesak celebrations include the ritual of cooking a pot of rice in milk, reminiscent of Buddha’s last meal before his long fast toward enlightenment.
Often there are processions and celebrations to mark Vesak Day
4. Anyone can join the celebrations
You don’t have to be Buddhist to celebrate Vesak. Head towards Singapore’s oldest Buddhist temple, Lian Shan Shuang Lin or The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, in the heart of Chinatown, to observe the day.
5. Vesak Day in Singapore was only made an official public holiday in 1955
After World War II, the Singapore Buddhist Association led the petition to make Vesak Day an official public holiday. Subsequently, this significant day for Buddhists was made a public official holiday in Singapore in 1955.
Since Vesak is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, the date on which it is celebrated changes from year to year, usually falling in the month of May or early June.
6. Temples are filled with flowers and joss sticks
Typically you’ll find flowers, joss sticks, and candles being offered in the temples on Vesak Day in Singapore and throughout the world.
The presence of these items acts as a reminder of the fleeting and finite nature of life since the candles and joss sticks will burn down and the flowers will wither away.
Vesak Day observes the three most important events in the Buddha’s life: his birth, enlightenment, and Nirvana
7. Bathing of the Buddha
A popular ritual on this day is the “bathing” of the Buddha. You’ll find worshippers gathering around pools or basins decorated with flowers and a small statue of Siddhartha. People pour water over the statue to remember a tale that the infant prince was also showered with the waters of nine dragons shortly after he was born.
8. Three steps, one bow
Keep an eye out for a famous prayer ritual in Singapore! Worshippers will engage in a stuttered walk consisting of three steps, followed by a bow. It’s normally done on the eve of Vesak Day and can last up to two and a half hours! Worshippers focus on a chant to remove distractions of the world and focus on Buddha.
9. Vegetarian for the day
To mark the beginning of the Day with an act of purity, temples are normally filled only with vegetarian food. Worshippers are encouraged to partake in only vegetarian food for the day. In some countries, butcher shops are closed for two days because of the dedication to uphold this discipline on this day.
How to Celebrate Vesak Day with Your Family
Vesak Day is a joyous occasion celebrated by Buddhists worldwide, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha. It’s a great opportunity to engage your kids in meaningful activities that promote mindfulness, compassion, and cultural understanding. Here are some fun-filled ideas to celebrate Vesak Day with your little ones.
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Create a Miniature Buddha Shrine: Gather art supplies and work together to create a miniature Buddha shrine using clay or craft materials. Decorate it with colourful flowers and candles, teaching your kids about the significance of paying respects to the Buddha.
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Storytelling and Book Reading: Introduce your children to the life and teachings of the Buddha through engaging storybooks or animated videos. Discuss the values of kindness, compassion, and mindfulness that the Buddha exemplified.
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Make Vesak Lanterns: Encourage your kids to unleash their creativity by making Vesak lanterns using colourful paper, glue, and strings. Hang these lanterns around your home or take them to a local temple to participate in the evening candlelit procession.
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Engage in Acts of Kindness: Vesak Day is an opportune time to emphasize acts of kindness. Involve your kids in charitable activities like preparing food packages for the less fortunate, making donations to a local charity, or offering help to neighbours in need.
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Meditate and Practice Mindfulness: Teach your kids simple meditation techniques and practice mindfulness together. Create a serene environment with soft music and guide them through mindful breathing exercises to cultivate a sense of inner peace and awareness.
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Visit a Buddhist Temple: Take your kids on a visit to a local Buddhist temple to experience the vibrant Vesak Day celebrations firsthand. Observe the beautiful decorations, participate in traditional ceremonies, and offer prayers or flowers at the temple.
- Enjoy a Vegetarian Feast: Take the whole family out for a special Vesak Day meal at a vegetarian restaurant. Explore the flavours of plant-based cuisine together and discuss the significance of choosing a vegetarian diet, which aligns with the compassionate values of Vesak Day.
Remember, Vesak Day is not just about festivities but also an opportunity to instil important values and teachings in your children.
Image Source: iStock
theAsianparent wishes all our Buddhist readers a very happy and blessed Vesak Day!
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