Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanthi is the commemoration of the birth of Prince Siddhartha, enlightenment of the Ascetic Gautama and the parinibbana of the Lord Buddha. This poya day eventually occurs in the month of May wherein 2021 it was celebrated on the 26th of May. In Sri Lanka Vesak is celebrated as one of the holiest festivals in comparison to other festivals by the Buddhists. Not only Sri Lanka, many Asian countries including India, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan celebrate Vesak.
The first event to happen was the birth of Prince Siddhartha in Lumbini Sal park in Nepal by Queen Mahamaya. The second event is the supreme attainment of Ascetic Gautama after avoiding the two extremes and following the middle path (Majjhima Patipada). And the third event was the parinirvana of the Lord Buddha at Kushinagar. As Buddhists, these are very significant events that are celebrated religiously and culturally.
People observe sil at the Sil campaigns organised by the temples and conduct Bodhi Poojas to celebrate this day. Engaging themselves in religious activities, many temples are filled with devotees dressed in white all over the country to mark this event. The Buddhists worship, offer flowers, light oil lamps and incense sticks and observe the five precepts and where the sil observants observe the eight precepts on this poya day. Many of the Buddhists spend their time in the temples following the teachings of the Buddha on the Vesak poya day.
Other than the exclusive religious aspects of the festival the Buddhists decorate their homes and public places bringing out the cultural aspect. Vesak lanterns are made and hung around the houses and public places which delivers a very important message as; the four squares depicting the Four Noble Truths, the eight triangles depicting the Noble Eightfold Path and the open two squares depicting the Birth and Death which is endless. People also light oil lamps and light bulbs and decorate their houses. And also they organise Dansals(freely giving food to people), Bakthi Gee Prasanga(singing devotional songs) and also making Thoran(pandals) illustrating one of the stories from the 550 Jathaka Katha.
Thus Vesak is celebrated religiously and culturally by Buddhists which improves interrelationships and coordination among people. Having high values, the Vesak Poya Day is commemorated devotedly to pay gratitude to the Lord Buddha.
Rtr. Anali Ratnayake
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