Today was a public holiday, which is Vesak Day. One of the major Buddhist festivals is Vesak which takes its name from the month in which the Buddha was supposedly born, won enlightenment and passed into nibbana. It is usually celebrated in May and is also known as Buddha Day. I have been celebrated this meaningful festival for more than 10 years with my family when I was in hometown but this year I can't celebrate with them as I'm in SJ now.
What significance does Vesak have?
First it celebrates the birth of a unique and very special human being. The Buddha was born into a life of privilege and pleasure, surrounded by all that one could wish for in a material sense.
Second, it celebrates the Buddha's awakening. After six years of hardship and continual striving the Buddha finally gained enlightenment. The profundity of this experience left him in no doubt that he had achieved final knowledge, that there was something beyond the cycle of old age, sickness and death, that there was an end to suffering.
Third, it celebrates the Buddha's final passing into nibbana. The Buddha died. But as he lay dying, there was no miraculous transformation, no magical ascension into heaven, no inexplicable escape. His death was ordinary - possibly from food poisoning. He died, just as all people must die. This was what he taught. In other ways his death was extraordinary as it was at this point he was freed from the circle of life and death, freed from suffering, totally liberated in nibbana.
Buddha Day, therefore, is a day to remind oneself of the Buddha's example, of what is possible and what it is that is worth striving for! It is a day for focusing the mind on just what a remarkable individual the Buddha was, and what an amazing example he gave to the world of what it means to be a complete human being.
~Happy Vesay Day~
-------------------A world Of PeaCe---------------
