Sources; From several data base.
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.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
(2009 May 9, Fullmoon day of Kason)- Vesak Day or Buddha Day
What Vesak Day is
Friday, May 8, 2009
Benefits of being a Buddhist
Resource:
1. How to Live as a Good Buddhist, Vol 1, by Dept. for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana.
2. The article being edited.
In this post, I would like to discuss about what the benefits of being a Buddhist are. Also why we should follow Buddha's way of liberation and why Buddhism is a truly path for holy peace in both mind and body.
Evils of Wrong Faith and Benefits of Right Faith
The Buddha teaches how reliance on wrong things has evils and how Right Faith creates benefits, in the Dhammapada Verse189, as follow:
“Resorting to prayer and worship to forests, trees, shrines, etc. does not bring security and freedom from all suffering. Such worship and prayers are not noble and sacred. So sorrows and suffering continue to trouble mankind.”
These evil results include wanderings in repeated cycles of births and deaths called Samsara. Life’s limitations and troubles continue to tie a man who follows such a type of salvation. Thus births, old age, illness and death are evils of wrong faith.
On the contrary, the Buddha points out the benefits of professing right faith.
“By taking refuge in the Three Gems, the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Samgha, a man is freed from all suffering” (Dhammapada Verse 191-192)
The benefits include, among others, noble conduct and supreme peace, leading to highest freedom (Nibbana). Therefore, all human beings should realize that only Right Faith helps the attainments of human and divine bliss, Brahma State of Happiness, and finally to the Supramundane State of Magga, Phala and Nibbana, the complete cessation of dukka or final liberation.
Why Buddhism
Source:
1. How to Live as a Good Buddhist, Vol 1, by Dept. for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana.
2. The article being edited.
Buddhism is not merely a religious. Differ from other religious, Buddhism is not only a religious but also a supreme enlightenment, a great philosophy. Buddhism is also not a "Believing-In" religious. It is practical and scientific in all aspects.
In this post, I would like to discuss why we should practise Buddhism and why not others.
In this post, I would like to discuss why we should practise Buddhism and why not others.
Things Not to Rely On and Things to Rely On
When the Buddha, the All-Knowing One, appeared in the world, he made a sharp distinction between wrong worship and right worship (ie.; the Enlightenment). Thus in Dhammapada, Verse189, we learn the following Dhamma:
“But such are not safe refuges, not the most secure refuge. Not by resorting to any of these is a man freed from all suffering.”
Therefore wrong refuges or wrong worship must be avoided by a clear understanding of the true Dhamma.
To seek refuges rightly and beneficially, the Buddha points the right way as follows:
“Whosoever seeks refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Samgha, and with correct understanding visualizes the Four Noble Truths, namely, Suffering, the Origin of Suffering, the Cessation of Suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path that leads to the Cessation of suffering – this is the secure resort, this is the safest refuge. By taking such refuge a man is freed from all suffering (Dhammapada190, 191, 192).”
“But such are not safe refuges, not the most secure refuge. Not by resorting to any of these is a man freed from all suffering.”
Therefore wrong refuges or wrong worship must be avoided by a clear understanding of the true Dhamma.
To seek refuges rightly and beneficially, the Buddha points the right way as follows:
“Whosoever seeks refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Samgha, and with correct understanding visualizes the Four Noble Truths, namely, Suffering, the Origin of Suffering, the Cessation of Suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path that leads to the Cessation of suffering – this is the secure resort, this is the safest refuge. By taking such refuge a man is freed from all suffering (Dhammapada190, 191, 192).”
Thursday, May 7, 2009
What a Religious is
Resource:
Human beings are the most thoughtful and sociable creatures. For this reason, they are able to feel the loneliness, the fears, and the sufferings, such as illness, getting old, diseases and death. On the other hand, they have their own plenty of desires, wishes and eagerness. Consequently, once they know any of theirs will not be fulfil, they suffer sorrows, worries and disappointments. Therefore, they look for something that they can rely on or that they can refuge on. This is the origin of "Religious".
According to the historians dealing with human history, man started his existence in lonely family which gradually developed into groups or a society. Anyhow we know now that in the remote past man was dominated by fear and reward.
It is true that human life has been full of fearful events (situations) and things that create desire and longing. For example, overflowing of streams and rivers due to tides, storms and other natural dangers, the harm of snakes, leopards, tigers, wild elephants, enemies, etc. are called dangers of living being, and there exist troubles of human existence itself which are painful to life such as illness, old age, disease, death. Seeing and experiencing all kinds of dangers and troubles, men began to have a sense of fear. And, consequently, in order to overcome such troubles and pains, man sought some kind of religion. They wanted peace and security. Hence out of fear and desire, man sought refuge. In the Dhammapada, Verse 188, the Buddha declares;
“When threatened by fear, many people seek refuge in many places – mountains, forests, groves, trees or shrines; but such are not safe refuges, not the securest refuge. Not by resorting to any of these in a man freed from all suffering.”
It is clear that wrong worship, wrong religions will not bring peace and security from life’s dangers. Such false beliefs and deeds will create endless rounds of repeated births and deaths known as “Samsara”.
In the past, human history records that people worshipped gods of rivers and oceans because they had to rely on them for livelihood. Those who earned their livelihood seeking food near mountains, hills, gardens worshipped gods nearby. Agriculturists and farmers put their reliance on sky-gods, rain-gods and others. Some prayed for sons at the feet of huge trees because they believed prayer and worship would fulfil their wishes and desires.
Such cases were common in the past history of man in many places of the world. So religion began as fear and desire, and the term “religion” means “reliance” on the unknown or the mysterious.
- How to Live as a Good Buddhist, Vol 1, by Dept. for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana.
- The article being edited.
Human beings are the most thoughtful and sociable creatures. For this reason, they are able to feel the loneliness, the fears, and the sufferings, such as illness, getting old, diseases and death. On the other hand, they have their own plenty of desires, wishes and eagerness. Consequently, once they know any of theirs will not be fulfil, they suffer sorrows, worries and disappointments. Therefore, they look for something that they can rely on or that they can refuge on. This is the origin of "Religious".
According to the historians dealing with human history, man started his existence in lonely family which gradually developed into groups or a society. Anyhow we know now that in the remote past man was dominated by fear and reward.
It is true that human life has been full of fearful events (situations) and things that create desire and longing. For example, overflowing of streams and rivers due to tides, storms and other natural dangers, the harm of snakes, leopards, tigers, wild elephants, enemies, etc. are called dangers of living being, and there exist troubles of human existence itself which are painful to life such as illness, old age, disease, death. Seeing and experiencing all kinds of dangers and troubles, men began to have a sense of fear. And, consequently, in order to overcome such troubles and pains, man sought some kind of religion. They wanted peace and security. Hence out of fear and desire, man sought refuge. In the Dhammapada, Verse 188, the Buddha declares;
“When threatened by fear, many people seek refuge in many places – mountains, forests, groves, trees or shrines; but such are not safe refuges, not the securest refuge. Not by resorting to any of these in a man freed from all suffering.”
It is clear that wrong worship, wrong religions will not bring peace and security from life’s dangers. Such false beliefs and deeds will create endless rounds of repeated births and deaths known as “Samsara”.
In the past, human history records that people worshipped gods of rivers and oceans because they had to rely on them for livelihood. Those who earned their livelihood seeking food near mountains, hills, gardens worshipped gods nearby. Agriculturists and farmers put their reliance on sky-gods, rain-gods and others. Some prayed for sons at the feet of huge trees because they believed prayer and worship would fulfil their wishes and desires.
Such cases were common in the past history of man in many places of the world. So religion began as fear and desire, and the term “religion” means “reliance” on the unknown or the mysterious.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Precepts - Kinds of Sila those every Buddhist has to follow
Source: From various websites from internet
The precepts are a condensed form of Buddhist ethical practice (Ref: the Eight-fold paths). They are often compared with the ten commandments of Christianity, however, the precepts are different in two respects: First, they are to be taken as recommendations, not commandments. This means the individual is encouraged to use his/her own intelligence to apply these rules in the best possible way. (Ref: Kalama Sutta) Second, it is the spirit of the precepts -not the text- that counts, hence, the guidelines for ethical conduct must be seen in the larger context of the Eightfold Path.
The first five precepts are mandatory for every Buddhist. (Also known as the basic precepts.) Precepts no. six to ten are laid out for those in preparation for monastic life and for devoted lay people unattached to families. The eight precepts put together number eight and nine and omit the tenth. Lay people may observe the eight precepts on Buddhist festival days, such as Vesak Day.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from ...
1. ...harming living beings.
2. ...taking things not freely given.
3. ...sexual misconduct.
4. ...false speech.
5. ...intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness.
6. ...taking untimely meals.
7. ...dancing, singing, music and watching grotesque mime.
8. ...use of garlands, perfumes and personal adornment.
9. ...use of high seats.
10. ...accepting gold or silver.
The first five precepts are mandatory for every Buddhist. (Also known as the basic precepts.) Precepts no. six to ten are laid out for those in preparation for monastic life and for devoted lay people unattached to families. The eight precepts put together number eight and nine and omit the tenth. Lay people may observe the eight precepts on Buddhist festival days, such as Vesak Day.
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from ...
1. ...harming living beings.
2. ...taking things not freely given.
3. ...sexual misconduct.
4. ...false speech.
5. ...intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness.
6. ...taking untimely meals.
7. ...dancing, singing, music and watching grotesque mime.
8. ...use of garlands, perfumes and personal adornment.
9. ...use of high seats.
10. ...accepting gold or silver.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Buddhism and Science
Source: Youtube
This is the short video clip with the quotes of various scientists on Buddhism.
Mostly these scientists were not Buddhists but their sense in science made them to understand what Buddhism is.
So,this video is one of proofs that Buddhism is the scientific religious.
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