Vesak is a Buddhist festival that marks Siddhartha Gautama’s birthday. In some parts of the world, Wesak or Buddha Day also marks his enlightenment or the day he discovered the meaning of life. The special day is all about reflecting on his teachings and the significance of being a Buddhist. Continue scrolling to discover more about the Buddhist festival.
Story Behind Vesak
Siddhartha Gautama is believed to be a prince born into a wealthy family in the 5th century BC in Nepal. He realised that luxury and wealth are not equivalent to happiness in life. That’s why he began the journey of a homeless holy man to witness suffering and learn more about how the universe works. After six years of travelling and meditating, he attained spiritual awareness and discovered the meaning of life. This is how he achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha, meaning the awakened or enlightened one. Buddha dedicated the rest of his life to teaching his followers about his experience.
The Date of Vesak
Vesak is celebrated on the first full moon of Vesakha (ancient lunar month). It usually falls in May or early June. Therefore, the date of Vesak keeps changing every month.
How to Celebrate Vesak
Vesak is celebrated in different countries, including Thailand, India, and Singapore. Buddhists in every part of the world follow different traditions to celebrate the special day. Several Buddhists visit their local temple on this auspicious occasion. People even spend the entire day and night of the full moon inside the temple. The day also involves chanting, meditating, and reflecting on Buddha’s teachings. Moreover, Buddhists also perform good deeds on this particular day, like sharing food with people and bringing offerings to temples. Bathing the idol of Buddha is also a common sight on this day. In this ceremony, water is poured over the shoulders of an idol of Buddha. It reminds people to wash away negative thoughts from their minds.
Final Words
The festival of Vesak is all about celebrating it with friends and family. If you can’t be together with your loved ones on this auspicious day, you can send them your heartiest wishes with thoughtful gifts, adorned with heartwarming messages. Have a wonderful Vesak celebration!
