(2009 May 9, Fullmoon day of Kason)- Vesak Day or Buddha Day

Sources; From several data base.

What Vesak Day is

Vesak Day is the greatest day for Buddhists. It actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment, and passing-away (Parinirvana) of Gautama, the Buddha. But sometimes it is informally called "Buddha's birthday".

Vesak Day is an annual holiday observed traditionally by practicing Buddhists in many Asian countries like Nepal, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia,Pakistan, India, and Taiwan.

What enlightenment Buddha got on Vesak Day

On fullmoon day of Kason, BC 103, Buddha got his great enlightenment which is totally different from other religions and is nobly true by all aspects. The Buddha's enlightenment in brief is as follow:

I. The four noble truths, namely
>>(1)suffering,
>>(2)original of suffering,
>>(3)cessation of suffering and
>>(4)the way to cessation of suffering

II. The eight-fold path comprised of three main parts, called

>>(1) moral conduct
>>>>a. Right Speech,
>>>>b. Right Action and
>>>>c. Right Livelihood

>>(2) concentration
>>>>a. Right Effort,
>>>>b. Right Mindfulness and
>>>>c. Right Concentration

>>(3) wisdom
>>>>a. Right View and
>>>>b. Right Intention

III. Buddha’s Middle Way – The Path of Moderation, including the two Extremes to avoid namely
>>(1) sensual indulgence and
>>(2) self-mortification

How Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day

On Vesak day, devout Buddhists and followers alike are expected and requested to assemble in their various temples before dawn for the ceremonial, and honorable, 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 just as the beautiful flowers would wither away after a short while and the candles and joss-sticks would soon burn out, so too is life subject to decay and destruction. Devotees are enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day. In some countries, notably Sri Lanka, two days are set aside for the celebration of Vesak and all liquor shops and slaughter houses are closed by government decree during the two days. Also birds, insects and animals are released by the thousands in what is known as a 'symbolic act to liberation'; of giving freedom to those who are in captivity, imprisoned, or tortured against their will. 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 (Sila).

Devout Buddhists undertake to lead a noble life according to the teaching by making daily affirmations to observe the Five Precepts. However, on special days, notably new moon and full moon days, they observe the Ten Percepts to train themselves to practice morality, simplicity and humility.

Some temples also display a small image of the baby Buddha in front of the altar in a small basin filled with water and decorated with flowers, allowing devotees to pour water over the statue; it is symbolic of the cleansing of a practitioners bad karma, and to reenact the events following the Buddha's birth, when devas and spirits made heavenly offerings to him.

Devotees are expected to listen to talks given by monks. On this day 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 in harmony with people of other faiths and to respect the beliefs of other people as the Buddha had taught.