How much do you really understand about Wesak Day? Here are some facts which you may not have known about this annual Buddhist celebration.
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.
Here are things about Wesak Day 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
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.
Vesak Day observes the three most important events in the Buddha’s life: his birth, enlightenment, and Nirvana
6. Pranic Healers and Wesak Meditation
It has been written – on the first Full Moon of Taurus – the Spiritual Hierarchy creates a yearly Event – during which Divine Grace and Mercy are Released with an incredible intensity – in far greater Quantities. The Wesak Festival Celebration is interlaced with the Loving and Compassionate Energies of the Lord Buddha and the Lord Jesus Christ. This Festival and Celebration is a yearly Source of Inner Strength and Rapid Spiritual Development for all Practitioners.
The Phenomena of Divine Energies released during this period, penetrates the Minds, Hearts and Souls of all people joining this event. This Grace manifests as an Increase of Divine Light – which showers onto and into everyone and everything – within an enormous radius of the various Celebrations taking place globally – and impregnates the Earth itself!
Searchers on the Spiritual Path, including Yogis, Energy Healers, Natural Practitioners and others – know that “The Wesak” brings into our lives a particular Quality and tremendous down pouring of Spiritual Energy. This Increases our Soul Energy – giving the Participant a deep sense of Revitalization, Transformation and Regeneration. Each year, these Energies uplift, nourish and sustain the Evolution of Humanity and the entire Planet Earth.
When Spiritual Preparation is undertaken – the Festival leads to the Strengthening of each Participant. The Cleansing and Energizing process removes normal obstacles – infusing all – with the desire to dedicate their lives to Humanitarian Projects as well as to Personal Spiritual Development. Each person becomes a Divine Channel – for Doing Service – through Increasing their Frequency and Igniting their Souls with both Spiritual Force and Inspiration.
Wesak Full Moon Meditation by ~1300 Pranic Healers at Dadar Mumbai during early morning on 19th May 2019
References: yoursingapore.com and vesaksingapore.org
Source: https://sg.theasianparent.com/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-vesak-day
Disclaimer: All information, data and material has been sourced from multiple authors and is for general information and educational purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor.
The views and nutritional advice expressed are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
