Day of Vesak 2023: The annual celebration of Vesak occurs on the day of the May full moon. This year, it occurs on May 5. It is commemorated as the day Buddha was born, the day he attained enlightenment, and the day he died. Based on Asian lunisolar calendars, the Day of Vesak is celebrated predominantly in Vaisakha, a month in both the Buddhist and Hindu calendars. Buddhism is one of the world’s oldest religions, and millions of people worldwide adhere to Buddha’s teachings.
On Vesak, Buddhists gather in their temples before dawn to raise the Buddhist flag ceremonially. In addition, followers will chant hymns in honour of the Buddha, the Dharma (his teachings), and the Sangha (his disciples).
HISTORY OF DAY OF VESAK
Buddhist festivals and celebrations are centuries-old traditions. Numerous foreign cultures assimilated Buddhism as it spread from India to the rest of the globe. As a result, the Day of Vesak is frequently observed in numerous ways throughout the globe.
Siddhartha Gautama was born in Nepal in the 5th century BCE and lived during his lifetime. Buddhism was founded by him. He was born into a wealthy household but chose to abandon his extravagant lifestyle. Still unsatisfied, he advocated the concept of the “Middle Way,” which refers to a life lived between two extremes; a life without excess but also without deprivation. He attained enlightenment by meditating beneath a Bodhi tree after many years of seeking. He devoted his entire existence to instructing others on how to attain this spiritual state. Buddha died approximately 483 B.C. His teachings became the basis for what would become Buddhism after his demise.
There are 29.5 days between each full moon, so it is possible for there to be two full moons in the month of May. Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Malaysia celebrate the Day of Vesak on the first full moon, while Thailand and Singapore commemorate it on the second full moon.
On the Day of Vesak, Buddhists deliver offerings to the temple, typically flowers or joss sticks. The release of birds, animals, and insects symbolises the gift of liberation to those who are held captive or imprisoned.
A miniature Buddha statue may be displayed in front of the altar. The statue typically rests in a receptacle filled with water and adorned with flowers, allowing devotees to pour water over it. This symbolises the purification of negative karma and is a reenactment of the events following the birth of the Buddha, when he was flooded with holy waters by the gods and spirits.
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HOW TO OBSERVE DAY OF VESAK
Consider the Buddha’s teachings.
Spend the day contemplating Buddha’s teachings. Even if you are not a Buddhist, you can learn a great deal from Buddhist philosophy, including the importance of moderation and balance in life.
Perform the Buddha Bathing Ceremony
Conduct a Buddha-Bathing ceremony by dumping water over a Buddha’s shoulders. This is done to remind individuals to eliminate negative notions from their minds. If your religious beliefs differ, you may interpret the ritual symbolically and attempt to purge yourself of negative emotions and behaviours.
White apparel
Wear white clothing and attempt to consume a vegetarian diet to commemorate this day. Buddhists are vegetarian because they believe in reincarnation and that all meat was once someone’s father, mother, or child; as a non-Buddhist, it serves as a reminder that we should respect the lives of all beings.
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5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BUDDHISM
Buddhists do not refer to their religion as “Buddhism”
In the 1830s, Western scholars coined the term.
The world’s fourth-largest religion
Indeed there are approximately 360 million Buddhist adherents.
There is no singular sacred text or deity.
There is no singular sacred text in Buddhism, and Buddhists do not believe in a supreme being or creator.
Anyone can be a Buddha
A Buddha is not an individual, but rather the term for a person who has attained Nirvana, the state of enlightenment.
There are numerous Buddhist doctrines
Buddhism has three branches: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
WHY DAY OF VESAK IS IMPORTANT
It is one of the oldest and most widely practised religions in the globe.
We enjoy learning about the lengthy and fascinating history of religion. Its teachings have endured throughout time. It has influenced a variety of cultural aspects and philosophical systems.
It is a day dedicated to acts of compassion and charity.
Numerous Buddhists will perform good actions, bring offerings to the temple, and feed others. Buddha placed a high value on life, and many of his most influential teachings are centred on compassion.
It is celebrated worldwide
Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world, and this day will be observed by Buddhists everywhere. Even non-believers can participate in their celebrations and follow some of their teachings, such as those concerning moderation, compassion, and self-awareness.
DAY OF VESAK DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | May 15 | Sunday |
| 2023 | May 5 | Friday |
| 2024 | May 23 | Thursday |
| 2025 | May 12 | Monday |
| 2026 | May 1 | Friday |
