Wesak Day

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Wesak Day is the most important event of the year for the Buddhist community. It commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Final Nirvana of the Buddha on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month.

This occasion is observed by millions of Buddhist throughout the world. It is a festival for rejoice and goodwill to all. It is also an occasion for reflection of our own personal spiritual development.

For some Buddhist, the observance of Wesak begins early in the morning when they assemble at temples to observe the Eight Precepts. Others may join the communal observances by going through the ceremony of taking the Threefold Refuge, observing the Five Precepts, making offerings at shrines and chanting. They may also participate in processions and circumambulation and listen to sermons of the Buddha's Teachings.

In some temples or centres, Buddhist take part in ceremonial bathing of an image of baby Prince Siddhartha (The Buddha when he was a Prince), place in a basin of perfumed water strewn with flowers. The perfumed water is scooped with a ladle and poured over the statue. This symbolizes the purification of one's unwholesome deeds with wholesome deeds.

Many Buddhist are also taking vegetarian meals on this day as they recall the teaching of the universal Compassion. On this day, temples and centres are colourfully decorated with Buddhist flags and lights and shrines are filled with flowers, fruits and other offerings.

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