Wesak also known as Vesak is a significant and crucial aspect of Buddhism that is celebrated widely by many different countries including Thailand, China, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The ritual Parinirvana celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death for both individuals and the greater Buddhist community. Buddha is celebrated in a variety of different ways from one country to another but has around 376 million adherents with identical significance of celebrating Buddha’s universal peace message and guideline to mankind which is the belief that peace can come with unity of individuals and the community as well as attaining a life of contempt, using the dharma and teachings of the five precepts, eightfold path and three jewels to move away from the corruption of cravings and desires to a world of pureness and holy peace. “Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace” (1)
There are three major festivals that occur in the Buddhist community that form the spiritual peak,
Wesak being the second festival which commemorates the Buddha and his enlightenment.
Adherents of Buddha including families and the community celebrate wesak and the eightfold path on suffering to display their faith and are used to consider and evaluate their lives in terms of greed, anger and foolishness. The uses of the three jewels also known as the three treasures involve the
Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The jewels are celebrated for their significance and importance in the
Buddhist community and the lives of individuals as well as in relation to Buddha himself, the community and his teachings of life and living a way of life without suffering by attaining nirvana and enlightenment by leaving behind desires of wants and therefore negative feelings in which these desires crave . The five precepts which Buddhists live by including harming living things, stealing, sexual wrongdoings, gossiping and taking any substance which alters the mind are all acknowledged and honoured during wesak so adherents may understand, consider and change their ways in order to possibly achieve enlightenment and in turn Nirvana. The teachings of Buddha help understand wisdom, and accept pure virtues as a means to a good and holy life “ Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.” (2)
The annual ritual Parinirvana is celebrated significantly throughout certain parts of the world but is celebrated differently by individual Buddhists and the greater Buddhist community. In China
Mahayana Buddhists gather on the 8th day of the 4th Lunar month while Chinese Theravada Buddhists celebrate it as a community during the full moon. Individually Buddhist adherents attend monasteries and pray for peace in the world, they are also present to listen to sermons led by
Buddhist venerables. As a Buddhist community families watch rituals in which the Buddha is bathed in water which is to acknowledge the devas and spirits who made plentiful offerings to Buddha during his birth. Buddhist flags and flowers are plentiful as they are decorated all over the monasteries while restaurants abstain from meat, promoting a vegetarian diet. In Singapore as in
China animals such as birds and tortoises that are captured are released as well to display compassion and mercy using the saying “mind is everything. What you think you become” (3) which is an important saying by Buddha upheld in China as they believe that paying homage is not about gifts, candles and incense but by truly worshipping and following the guidelines of the dharma which is his teachings as well as the eightfold path, three jewels and five precepts to guide their life in a holy direction towards enlightenment and nirvana and away from corruption and towards suffering.
In Thailand Vesak is celebrated on a different day each year depending on the local lunar observance, this year it will be celebrated in Thailand on the 13th of May. As a Buddhist community many individuals, family members and monks walk around a Buddha statue at sunset while moving a holy object around. Children also take part in Wesak day by attending the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple where children are encouraged to drop coins into golden Buddha statues as a blessing. Wesak known by the majority of the population as Visakha Bucha is celebrated by Thai Buddhist by gathering around temples to pray and offer appreciation to the deity, monks wearing significant forms of clothing such as the saffron robes will lead sermons and have candlelight services at night. These celebrations can last for about a week and are based around the saying of Buddha “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared” (4).
The public holiday wesak pronounced Waisak in Indonesia is on the full moon of the 4th month and is considered Buddha’s anniversary. The community as a unity together walk with monks on a short
3km walk with pilgrims to the most famous temple known to many as the Java’s Borobudur which is considered to be the biggest Buddhist temple. In the temple many await the rise of the full moon before lighting candles, giving offerings, chanting, praying and a ceremonial walk known as
Pradaksina, where monks create a circuit around the holy temple carrying bottled water to symbolise the humility of the Buddha but also carry flames from different locations in respect to his enlightenment and achievement towards nirvana. Ceremonies such as taking blessed water, lighting an eternal flame and providing food for the monks provided by the community called Pindapata is also a significant community aspect in the pindatapa ritual. This is to commemorate the monks who have given up their life for their beliefs in world peace and mankind using the guidelines of Buddha’s
Dharma and by following and devoting their lives towards achieving enlightenment through the eightfold path and five precepts which is not easily accomplishes as desires and cravings are put aside to meditate and pray. Meditation on the full moon is also an individual Buddhist practice that is acknowledged during wesak, in addition individuals and the community follow the Dharma wheel through the streets and around temples which consists of the colours red and yellow to identify with friendship, peace and love. To individuals and the community Vesak is a way of re-birthing in which everyone starts a new, “no matter how hard the past, you can always begin again”. (5) This is a continuous and powerful saying in Indonesia. Children take part in schools by coming together under the Walubi which is a community of Buddhists councils who organise the event, where gifts of candles, water and flowers are left to display devotion and humility.
Wesak is celebrated by many but are extremely religious and cultural in places such as Sri Lanka and is celebrated on the full moon on the 13th and 14th of May for two days. On this two day period alcohol and meat are forbidden, animals and insects of all types are released in large amounts.
Toranas, each one informing a past story about the lord Buddha are lit and raised in a variety of locations including Colombo. As part of a cultural tradition lanterns called vesak koodu are placed in plain view above and in front of houses to symbolise the everlasting light and will of Buddha. Songs of devotion to Buddha are sung with free food stalls in place to bring joy and pleasure to tourists and locals, setup by organisations and business people. Many attend including those across the country who believe in the Buddha’s teachings “have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much and some too little”. (6) Within Sri Lanka many Buddhist individuals and the community itself pay homage to Buddha by cleansing homes in which they are cleaned and decorated in order to invite the teachings of Buddha into the home.
The abundance of Buddhists celebrates Wesak in a variety of ways and in a substantial amount of countries are all celebrating the same cause, the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. The fact that the majority of them are spread apart and across the world from each other displays how far Buddhism has spread to become a significant cultural and religious part of the universe.
Individually and as a Buddhist community many countries including China, Singapore, Thailand, and
Sri Lanka celebrate Buddhism in similar ways including the release of caged animals, prohibited consumption of meat and encouragement of a vegetarian diet. The moral guidelines in which
Buddhists devotees truly follow such as the three jewels, five precepts and the eightfold path are tradition and are what Buddhist believe will create a contempt life of enlightenment and stray away from the path of negative thinking and attitudes of suffering.
By Olivia
Bibliography
-BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
- "Buddha Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
-Nsw, Board Of Studies. Support Materials for the Studies of Religion HSC
Examinations (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
- "Significance of Vesak - Buddha Day." Significance of Vesak - Buddha Day. N.p., n.d. Web.
06 June 2014
- "Using Footnotes." Referencing. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
- "Vesak." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 06 June 2014. Web. 06 June 2014.
- "WESAK FESTIVAL AUDIO PROGRAMS." WESAK FESTIVAL AUDIO PROGRAMS. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
Footnotes
(1)
- "Buddha Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
(2)
- "Buddha Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
(3)
- "Buddha Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
(4)
- "Buddha Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
(5)
- "Buddha Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
(6)
- "Buddha Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
Bibliography
-BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
- "Buddha Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
-Nsw, Board Of Studies. Support Materials for the Studies of Religion HSC
Examinations (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
- "Significance of Vesak - Buddha Day." Significance of Vesak - Buddha Day. N.p., n.d. Web.
06 June 2014
- "Using Footnotes." Referencing. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
- "Vesak." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 06 June 2014. Web. 06 June 2014.
- "WESAK FESTIVAL AUDIO PROGRAMS." WESAK FESTIVAL AUDIO PROGRAMS. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
Bibliography: -BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014. - "Buddha Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 09 June 2014. -Nsw, Board Of Studies. Support Materials for the Studies of Religion HSC Examinations (n.d.): n. pag. Web. - "Significance of Vesak - Buddha Day." Significance of Vesak - Buddha Day. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 June 2014 - "Using Footnotes." Referencing. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2014. - "Vesak." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 06 June 2014. Web. 06 June 2014. - "WESAK FESTIVAL AUDIO PROGRAMS." WESAK FESTIVAL AUDIO PROGRAMS. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
The author begins with highlighting the advantages of virtuous life and moves on to practices that can transform impulsive and destructive emotions into calm abiding one. Gradually, the book introduce more challenging and sustained meditation practises. These meditation practises will lead the reader to the most profound and deepest insights of buddhist practice.These practices help us to work on our weaknesses rather than focusing on what other people see and how they act.Through this book, one is able to start a shift from the way he thinks to the way he interacts. It guides a person to open new pathways in seeing the world and all creation as something unique yet…
- 476 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
When the continuing-education division of an American university organized a one-day Buddhist retreat, more than a hundred students signed up within a few hours. What is the appeal of Buddhism, especially Buddhist meditation, for Westerners? Why do people who still identify themselves as Christians or Jews flock to Buddhist meditation sessions? What is it that has attracted so many Hollywood celebrities to Buddhism? To attempt to answer these questions, we need to review the 2,500-year history of Buddhism, its varieties, and its spread—first throughout Asia, then throughout the world.…
- 29552 Words
- 119 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Ahimsa is the belief of nonviolence, which Buddhism justifies by reminding followers that all life experience suffering and additional pain is not needed in this world. Also, Buddhism teaches the belief in the cycle of rebirth, however, without a belief in a soul; Buddhists believe it is the parts of the individual’s personality that reform in the new life. Finally, Buddhism teaches followers about nirvana granting release from the cycle of rebirth. Nirvana is a state of bliss without pain, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth and Buddhists believe that it can be obtained within one’s lifetime, rather than at death (Molloy,…
- 644 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Answer: The basic teachings of Buddhism are based around what are called the three jewels. The first is Buddha or an ideal human who others should imitate. The second is Dharma which is the Buddhist lessons on how to see things in a worldly manny. Finally, is Sangha which refers to the community of monks and nuns. The Buddha focused on two major things in his teachings how to reduce suffering in ourselves and others and how to attain inner peace. In the Buddhist teachings are cover the three realities which are change, identity, and suffering (Molloy, 2013). . The first which is constant change refers to the fact that the world is constantly changing around us. The second wenches lack of permanent identity refers to the fact that we are constantly changing as we age and go through the world learn new things and experiencing things. And finally of the presence of distress, Buddha states, we will always experience some sort of sorrow or dissatisfaction in our lives part of obtaining personal peace or inner peace is accepting that.…
- 798 Words
- 3 Pages
Better Essays -
Buddhism has grown from the flowing of a single man in his path to nirvana to a religion that spans the globe and has shaped many cultures. This paper will first present the history of Buddhism and the life of the man known as Buddha. Then, the fundamental teachings of Buddhism will be discussed. Finally, the unique aspects of Zen Buddhism will be examined.…
- 984 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The Buddha was born in the 5th Century BCE as an Indian Prince named Siddhartha Gautama. He enjoyed a lavish royal lifestyle until one day he encountered a decrepit elderly man, a diseased man, a corpse, and a hermit outside of his palace. These experiences, known as The Four Sights, opened his eyes to the suffering in the world, and he embarked on a journey, forsaking his wealth and title, to uncover life’s truths and find the path out of suffering. Siddhartha sought out the best teachers in meditation, but after learning everything he could from them, he realized that he would have to rely on himself to discover the truth about life. He turned to extreme forms of self-deprivation and endured physical hardships, such as sleeping on a bed of thorns and starvation, in the hopes that these experiences of severe suffering would lead him to the truth. After several years of practicing this extreme form of meditation, Siddhartha, who had wasted away to skin and bones, heard a group of musicians pass by playing lutes. He thought about the dynamics of the instrument and realized that if the strings of the lute were too loose, the music would be too low and quiet, but if the stings were too taught, they would snap. He applied this imagery to himself and understood that he was straining himself too far. He abandoned this practice and began to eat regularly again,…
- 2257 Words
- 10 Pages
Best Essays -
As an expressive compilation of all beliefs of Buddhism, Wesak incorporates all it means to be a Buddhist: the Three Jewels, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold path. The commemorating festival of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha employs ritual practices to outwardly express and inwardly contemplate their commitment and yearning to reach enlightenment. In expression of the 3 Jewels, adherents kneel and bow 3 times a day, taking the 3 refugees “I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha”. Puja is the act of showing reverence to a ‘god’ like creature, but because Buddhists do not worship the Buddha himself, concentration goes to connecting to his spiritual wisdom and to one’s self, as communicated in the Dharma: “Without morning meditation each day, I cannot find a sense of contentedness within myself” - Ketut Sandhiartha. As prayer, Puja is portrayed through communal chanting, individual meditation and devotional offerings to a symbol of Buddha. These offerings themselves also express Buddhist beliefs, with the example of gifts of incense symbolising both the spreading of ‘the fragrance of pure moral conduct’ as well as burning symbolising impermanence. The ‘Bathing of the Buddha, A Mahayana ritual, whereby Buddhists pour water over a statue of the Buddha, purifies the mind from inner thoughts, allowing internal balance. The four noble truths is the knowledge of the unsatisfactory nature of life, which leads to suffering (dukkha). Through reflection and prostration before images of Buddha, these truths, that dukkha exists due to impermanence (anicca), with the only release being Nirvana (the overcoming of desire), are comprehended properly, giving purpose and direction in life. During Wesak, the Eightfold path is reaffirmed as the way to reach Nirvana, with adherents aiming to correct their lives to imitate the 8 laws. By adhering to these guidelines, along with living in accordance with the Middle Way, Buddhists are guaranteed that…
- 324 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Buddhism is a religious group as depicted from the world’s history that began in the 6th century BCE, in today’s Northern India. Buddhism was founded by a wealthy man of Indian dysentery called Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha Gautama’s main concern was to teach people how to realize great spiritual development. These teachings focus on areas like tradition/customs, beliefs, ethics, meditation and philosophy and making people more enlightened; Buddha means ‘to awaken’. To the religious group boast of a huge following of about 300million across the world including 0.7 percent of U.S.A’s religious composition based on U.S’s Census Bureau Document (Seager, 2012).…
- 913 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Buddha’s teachings enforce that allowing oneself to experience extremes throughout life is to allow suffering and the avoidance of Nirvana. Both hedonism (or “the indulgence in the sense pleasures”) and self mortification are considered “painful and unprofitable”, though in different ways. Thus, the Buddha teaches the middle path, the Cessation of Suffering. The importance of absence from worldly attachments, from extremes, from tangibility is underlined by its reward: Nirvana, a sweet, peaceful emptiness. This text, over and over, associates the absence, the cessation, the lack, and the emptiness with desirability. Meanwhile, attachment, ordinariness, greed and hedonism are to be avoided. This is all to achieve, again, a lack of existence, to refrain from “re-becoming” in the cycle of…
- 733 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Steeped in culture, rules, and traditions that go back for thousands of years, both Judaism and Buddhism provide a way of life and spiritual path for their follows. The comparison of these seemingly vastly different religions is important for numerous reasons. The main reason being that these two faiths are two of four major world religions. We also live in a very global society these days and the more we can understand and find common ground with people who initially seem different than us can really effect both world and personal relations. Judaism’s members follow their faith as a way to bring them closer to the one and only God. Buddhism, commonly referred to as the world’s oldest living religion, is a religion based on the philosophical study of nature and oneself. Two drastically differing religions that have the exact same goal: Live your life in a way that makes you deserving of the reward that waits for you after this life. What a simple idea, yet confusing. The same goal with two distinct ways in which each believe they will attain it. This paper will highlight the differences as well as similarities concerning the values each religion lives by, their idea of freedom and what it means, and what both religions feel their purpose is here on Earth.…
- 1413 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
As long as we have these we are happy and satisfied but when we cannot have them we become like wild animals craving that which we cannot have. We can see that humans are willing to devour anything in the way in order to fulfilling those cravings. Buddha can be seen with a book reading and learning for one to make it through this world one must be civilized. Buddha says that bringing culture and a learning of the arts and sciences is what a human needs to fulfill this craving. What we truly are craving is knowledge.…
- 2006 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays -
In Buddhism, the main goal that we are to achieve is to end suffering. Buddha taught that humans are always suffering because they seek after things that can never give lasting happiness. All of Buddha’s teachings were based on suffering and how to attain happiness. In the quest for happiness, one must focus on the Four Noble truths which are a belief that: suffering is life, the cause of suffering is our desires, to stop suffering one must stop desire, and the way to stop desire is the Eightfold Noble Path. Through this Eightfold Path, a Buddhist releases himself from desire.…
- 577 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Recently in Western societies, there has been a movement of Jews toward the practice of Buddhism. Those practicing are commonly known as Buddhist-Jews, Jewish-Buddhists, or “JUBUs.” In the last decade or so, the phenomenon of multiple religious belonging has surfaced (Rose D 248 P). In fact, roughly 25% of the Buddhist population in America were formally people of the Jewish religion (bud in west). This has been credited to the fact that, in general, “Jewish Americans are well educated, financially comfortable, and most definitely at the high end of the socio-economic scale (BudinWest). The notion of multiple religious identities,…
- 1632 Words
- 7 Pages
Good Essays -
The ability to put others before oneself is a concept that a large majority of the world’s population cannot yet comprehend. Selflessness comes with a great deal of discipline and awareness of others. Buddhists, as well as a few other similar religions, have made it one of their highest priorities to relinquish their selfish desires. The ability to be aware of oneself, as well as others, is a skill that takes an excessive amount of time. It is not something that can be learned overnight; in fact, it takes a lifetime of dedication and education to release any egotistical emotions and habits. Any people of all faiths can partake on the journey towards enlightenment. The path to enlightenment does not discriminate against creed, color, or beliefs. But what does it mean to be “selfless”? How does one begin to embark on the journey toward “self-enlightenment”? Karen Armstrong, author of “Homo religiosus,” and Robert Thurman, author of “Wisdom,” both reflect on the realization of such unselfishness and the importance of consideration for others—as the Buddhist religion studies—in their articles.…
- 1271 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
For the last fifty years, Buddhism has been gaining followers in numerous Western countries such as Australia (website). This development has progressed so far, that one could even say Buddhism is becoming completely mainstream in a sense that it is no longer confined to an Asian immigrant minority. The attractions of Buddhism are threefold and these account for its popularity. Firstly, Buddhism emphasises peace and harmony which are very desirable to modern driven men and women. Secondly, Buddhism offers a more flexible moral outlook than traditional Christianity, and this appeals to modern individualism. Thirdly, Buddhism’s emphasis on detachment is appealing to those who are dellusionised by modern western consumerism.…
- 1187 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays