The meaning of Wesak

First of all i want to wish,

HAPPY WESAK DAY

to all Buddhists all over the world.. 

This picture was taken during my visit to Kek Lok Si Temple recently

Yaaa... I know i'm late, but at least i'm not TOO late.. Right? Besides, there are three more countries which will be celebrating wesak today (6th May, 2012) and they are Indonesia, Nepal and India.. ^___^

With the concept of 1 Malaysia, i think we should know and learn the custom and cultures of other races. This will bring us among the people. After all, learning and sharing is a charity that will not lose anyone.. Hehehe..

Wesak is a traditional ritual celebrated by Buddhists in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the South East Asian countries of Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma and Indonesia. Informally called "Buddha's Birthday" and it actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Gautama Buddha.

The following are some of the ways in the lead of Wesak Day celebration by a few different countries:

In Malaysia
- Celebration begin at dawn when devotees gather at the Buddhist temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts. Donations by giving food to the needy, offering of incense, joss sticks and prayers are carried out. The sutras are chanted in unison by monks in saffron robes. The celebration is highlighted by a candle procession.

In Indonesia
- Will be held at Borobudur Temple, a temple that is well known as one of the Eight Wonders of the World. Begin with the lighting torch in the Mrapen Eternal Fire - eternal flame that came out from the soil (stone). Thousands of Buddhist joined in a world-wide meditation on the moment of Wesak.

In Japan
- Celebrate Buddha's birthday by pouring ama cha, a sweet tea made of Hydrangea (credit to Kesenya for the picture) on statue. Actually it is based on a legend that a dragon appeared in the sky on his birthday and poured soma (was a ritual drink prepared by extracting juice from the stalks of a certain plant) over him.

Hydrangea

In Sri Lanka
- During the week, the selling of alcohol and fresh meat is prohibited, all liquor shops and slaughter houses are closed by government orders. The colourful lanterns called Vesak koodu are hung along the streets and in front of homes. Besides, there were a food stalls set up by Buddhist devotees to provide free food and drinks to passersby.

In Singapore
- The day starts with chanting of the sutras by saffronclad monks, while devotees visit the temples to pray and meditate and to make offerings. Freeing of caged birds and animals, visiting and giving alms to the poor and needy, while some Buddhist youth organize mass blood donation at hospitals. The celebration concludes with a candlelit procession through the streets.

In India
- Many Buddhist will visit temples and spend all day in one or more temples to listen monks give talks and recite ancient verses. Displayed a small statue of Buddha as a baby and the statue is placed in a basin filled with water and decorated with flowers. Most of them will pay special attention to Buddha's teaching during Wesak. They may wear white robes and only eat vegetarian food on and around Wesak.

In Vietnam
- After the monk ended his prayer, the attendants will released a balloons to wish for the world's peace. The monastery will be decorated by beautiful flower garlands. Some youngsters drew Buddhist flags on their faces and some paraded the streets by bicycles decorated with flags and flowers.

NOTE:
In general, it is all about the importance and belief in practicing of moral values, goodness and kindness to all living things on this earth.