Buddhist High Holy Days
May 18th, 2008 · No Comments
Vesak is the holiest day in Buddhism and a season of special holy significance to all Buddhists around the world. Vesak Full Moon is the holiest of all the full moon days. On this day we celebrate the birth, the Enlightenment, and the death of the Buddha.
The significance of which lies with the Buddha and his universal peace message to mankind.
Birth:
Temples will display a small image of the baby Buddha in front of the altar in a basin filled with water and decorated with flowers, allowing devotees to pour water over the statue; it is symbolic of the events following the Buddha’s birth. We honor the significance of the birth by the ritual of bathing the baby Buddha. It is a symbol of the events that led to and came from his birth when the devas paid homage to the Buddha by the heavenly offerings given to him.
Enlightenment:
As we recall the Buddha and his Enlightenment, we are immediately reminded of the unique and most profound knowledge and insight which arose in him on the night of his Enlightenment. His message of compassion is paramount.
We honor the enlightenment of the Buddha by making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick. On this day, many Buddhists will distribute gifts of monies and foods and offer kindness to various charitable homes throughout the country. Vesak is also a time for great joy and happiness. Enlightenment is the end of suffering. Many Buddhist will use this opportunity to bring joy and happiness to others.
Devotees are expected to listen to talks given by monks. The monks will recite the Pali chants which were spoken and taught by the Buddha twenty-five centuries ago. They are meant to invoke peace and happiness for the Government and the people. Buddhists peoples are reminded to live in harmony with people of other faiths and to respect the beliefs of other people as the Buddha himself had taught.
Parinibbana:
Knowing that the time of his death was close, the Buddha summoned his disciples and spoke to them calmly:
“Ripe is my age, short is my life, leaving you I shall go. I have made myself my refuge. Be diligent, mindful and extremely virtuous. With thoughts collected guard your mind. In this doctrine and discipline by living strenuously, you will escape the cycle of rebirth and put an end to suffering.”
“Think not that you have no teacher after my death. Regard the Dhamma and Vinaya I have taught you as your teacher.”
“He who practices my teaching best serves me most.”
“He who sees the Dhamma sees me.”
“Transient are all component things, strive on with diligence.”
Then having felt his mission was accomplished the he passed away at eighty years of age,on a couch between two sala trees. He was born, as an extraordinary man he lived, and as a Buddha he passed away. Buddha was not a God nor a God’s prophet. He was a man with the message that offered the end of suffering. His message, the Dharma, is as needed today as it was 2552 years ago.
The Buddha left us a simple but great message. “Study together, learn together, practice the teachings together. Do not waste your mind and time in idleness and bickering. Enjoy the blossoms of enlightenment in their season and harvest the fruit of benevolence. “The teachings which I have given you, I gained by following the path myself.
It is a message of peace, commitment, self responsibility and compassion. In this Vesak season renew the commitment, compassion and responsibility to your practice. Extend yourself to the suffering around the world. Remember the Maha Sangha in our efforts to bring about a lasting peace and compassionate efforts for the peoples of Burma and China. They are after all just like us. Hope and pray for the governments of oppressive nations to allow the freedoms inherent to all people. As we pray for peace throughout the world, may we ourselves have happy minds.
I Wish You Peace,
Bhante Kassapa
Bhante n. Kassapa Bhikkhu
bhante_kassapa@yahoo.com
Buu Mon Temple
Port Arthur, Texas, 77640
409.982.9319
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