Vesak Day (Wesak) or Buddha Day is a public holiday in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and in many more countries where Buddhism is practice. It was in 1950 when Vesak Day was formally conceptualize during the Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists in Sri Lanka.
On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.
Devout Buddhists and followers congregate to the temples for the ceremonial Buddha flag hoisting and singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem of The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings) and The Sangha (his disciples).
The offerings are normally of flowers, candles and joss-sticks is a simple reminder of how life is
subject to decay and destruction as represented by the flowers and joss-sticks which will whither and burn out respectively. Pigeons are normally released as a symbolic act of liberation and freedom to those who are in captivity, imprisoned or tortured against their will.
Most Buddhists would consume vegetarian food on that auspicious day and would spend the whole day in the temple to observe the Eight Precepts. Most temples would display figurine of a small Buddha in small basin filled with water to belocated in front of the temple altar for the followers to pour water over the statue as a symbolic event of Buddha’s birth, where devas and spirits made heavenly offerings to him.
The Eight Precepts are:
On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.
Devout Buddhists and followers congregate to the temples for the ceremonial Buddha flag hoisting and singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem of The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings) and The Sangha (his disciples).
The offerings are normally of flowers, candles and joss-sticks is a simple reminder of how life is
subject to decay and destruction as represented by the flowers and joss-sticks which will whither and burn out respectively. Pigeons are normally released as a symbolic act of liberation and freedom to those who are in captivity, imprisoned or tortured against their will.Most Buddhists would consume vegetarian food on that auspicious day and would spend the whole day in the temple to observe the Eight Precepts. Most temples would display figurine of a small Buddha in small basin filled with water to belocated in front of the temple altar for the followers to pour water over the statue as a symbolic event of Buddha’s birth, where devas and spirits made heavenly offerings to him.
The Eight Precepts are:
* Not to kill
* Not to steal
* Not to engage in improper sexual activity
* Not to indulge in wrong speech
* Not to take intoxicating drinks and drugs
* To abstain from taking food at unreasonable times
* To refrain from sensual pleasures such as dancing, singing and self-adornment
* To refrain from using high and luxurious seats in order to practice humility.
* Not to steal
* Not to engage in improper sexual activity
* Not to indulge in wrong speech
* Not to take intoxicating drinks and drugs
* To abstain from taking food at unreasonable times
* To refrain from sensual pleasures such as dancing, singing and self-adornment
* To refrain from using high and luxurious seats in order to practice humility.
In Melaka, the main celebration of Vesak Day would be the Seck Kia Enh temple in Gajah Berang where thousands of the Chinese are expected to visit this temple to offer prayers on the eve and on Vesak Day itself which falls on May 19, 2008.
However, the main event would be the procession or parade on the eve of Vesak Day which attracts thousands of people to line up the streets to watch the procession which includes marching bands, hymns singing, floats and Buddhist monks chanting and sprinkling holy water to bless the crowd lining the streets.
The parade which normally takes 2 hours will start from the grounds of the Seck Kia Enh temple before making its way through Melaka town before finishing at its starting place. During the procession, traffic around Melaka town freezes as the parade makes it way through the narrow and historical streets of Melaka. The parade would see sea of white as devotees dress in white amidst the colorful floats.
It had always been a pleasure to be at this event ever since I was a kid and it is truly a photographer’s haven snapping away and capturing moments of the parade proceedings. The burning of incense leaves an aromatic trail along the route of the procession and creates an air of calm and peaceful. The candle bearers singing hymns, lion dance and noticed some Bhangra dancers last year added some air of festivity to the procession which exemplifies a multi-ethnic Malaysia in harmony.
However, one should not miss the Grand Vesak Day procession in Melaka which occurs every 10 years with the last held in 2002 and this will be an event that everyone should make a date to witness the procession.
Make your way to Melaka to witness this event and for hotel accommodations, reserve here.
Happy Vesak!
However, the main event would be the procession or parade on the eve of Vesak Day which attracts thousands of people to line up the streets to watch the procession which includes marching bands, hymns singing, floats and Buddhist monks chanting and sprinkling holy water to bless the crowd lining the streets.The parade which normally takes 2 hours will start from the grounds of the Seck Kia Enh temple before making its way through Melaka town before finishing at its starting place. During the procession, traffic around Melaka town freezes as the parade makes it way through the narrow and historical streets of Melaka. The parade would see sea of white as devotees dress in white amidst the colorful floats.
It had always been a pleasure to be at this event ever since I was a kid and it is truly a photographer’s haven snapping away and capturing moments of the parade proceedings. The burning of incense leaves an aromatic trail along the route of the procession and creates an air of calm and peaceful. The candle bearers singing hymns, lion dance and noticed some Bhangra dancers last year added some air of festivity to the procession which exemplifies a multi-ethnic Malaysia in harmony.
However, one should not miss the Grand Vesak Day procession in Melaka which occurs every 10 years with the last held in 2002 and this will be an event that everyone should make a date to witness the procession.
Make your way to Melaka to witness this event and for hotel accommodations, reserve here.
Happy Vesak!
1 comment:
Looks like an amazing event. And thanks to your description even I can understand it! You succeed to bringing foreign rites closer to the mainstream of western society.
Post a Comment