Vesakha Day

Vesākha is an annual holiday observed traditionally byBuddhists in the South Asianand South East Asian countries ofNepal, Singapore, Vietnam,Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia,Sri Lanka,Myanmar,Bangladesh, Indonesia andIndia. Sometimes informally called "Buddha's Birthday," it actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and passing away (Parinirvana) ofGautama Buddha.

The exact date of Vesākha varies according to the various lunar calendars used in different traditions. In Theravada countries following the Buddhist calendar, it falls on the full moon Uposatha day (typically the 5th or 6th lunar month). Vesākha Day in China is on the eighth of the fourth month in theChinese lunar calendar. The date varies from year to year in the WesternGregorian calendar but falls in April or May.

In 2010 the first full moon day in May is the twenty-seventh. However, Myanmar and Cambodia observe the event this year on April 28, 2010.

This Friday is our Malaysia Wesak Day, but did you know how about the celebration in Japan, Sri Lanka and vietnam??Now let us find out some activities that they celebrated.

In Japan

In Japan, Vesākha orhanamatsuri (花祭) is also known as: Kanbutsu-e (灌仏会),Goutan-e (降誕会),Busshou-e(仏生会), Yokubutsu-e (浴仏会),Ryuge-e (龍華会),Hana-eshiki(花会式). It is not a public holiday. It is based on a legend that a dragon appeared in the sky on his birthday and pouredsoma over him.

It used to be celebrated on the 8th day of the fourth month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, based on one of the legends that proclaims the day as Buddha's birthday. At present, the celebration is observed on April 8 of the Solar Calendar since the Meiji governmentadopted the western solar calendar as the official calendar. Since the 8th day of the fourth month in the lunar calendar commonly falls in May of the current solar calendar, it is now celebrated about a month earlier.

In Japan, the general populace are not practicing Buddhists (and may be called casual Buddhists), so most Buddhist temples provide a way to allow the general public to celebrate and participate in only the aspect of the day being Buddha's birthday, providing the statue of baby Buddha and allowing the populace to worship or pay respect by pouring ama cha, a tea made ofHydrangea. In Buddhist temples, monasteries and nunneries, more involved ceremonies are conducted for practicing Buddhists, priests, monks and nuns. Also, there are public festivals made out of the day in some areas.

Vesak in Sri Lanka

A Vesak pandol ortoranain Colombo, Sri Lanka

Vesak is celebrated as a religious and a cultural festival in Sri Lanka on the full moon of the month of May, for a duration of one week. During this week, the selling of alcohol and flesh is usually prohibited, with abattoirs also being closed. Celebrations include various religious and alms giving activities. Electrically lit pandols calledtoranas are erected in various locations in Colombo and elsewhere, most sponsored by donors, religious societies and welfare groups. Each pandol illustrates a story from the 550Jataka Katha or the 550 Past Life Stories of the Buddha. In addition, colourful lanterns called Vesak koodu are hung along streets and in front of homes. They signify the light of the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha. Food stalls set up by Buddhist devotees calleddansälas provide free food and drinks to passersby. Groups of people from various community organisations, businesses and government departments singbhakti gee or Buddhist devotional songs. Colombo experiences a massive influx of public from all parts of the country during this week.

In Vietnam

In 1963, the South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem, a Catholic and younger brother of Archbishop Ngo Dinh Thucbanned the flying of theBuddhist flag. This led to a demonstration and flag-waving in defiance of the ban. Diem's forces opened fire on the Buddhist crowd, killing nine, sparking the Buddhist crisis, a period of civil disobedience against religious discrimination.

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Wong Yuh Yao

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