Buddhists around the world are celebrating Vesak, one of the most important days
in the Buddhist calendar that is observed in May or early June. Also known as
"Buddha Day", it commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha,
Siddhattha Gotama. Buddhist scriptures state that each of these significant events
occurred on the full moon of the Indian lunar month of Vesakha.
in the Buddhist calendar that is observed in May or early June. Also known as
"Buddha Day", it commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha,
Siddhattha Gotama. Buddhist scriptures state that each of these significant events
occurred on the full moon of the Indian lunar month of Vesakha.
This year, the United Nations is observing the day of Vesak on 1 June, but the
date differs depending on the country or culture. The exact date of Vesak is
based on the Asian lunisolar calendars and is normally celebrated in Vaisakha
month of the Buddhist and Hindu calendars, hence the name Vesak. The older
tradition of Vesak is to celebrate all three events, but some modern Buddhist
groups celebrate just the birth, and others, the enlightenment.
What is the significance of Vesak?
date differs depending on the country or culture. The exact date of Vesak is
based on the Asian lunisolar calendars and is normally celebrated in Vaisakha
month of the Buddhist and Hindu calendars, hence the name Vesak. The older
tradition of Vesak is to celebrate all three events, but some modern Buddhist
groups celebrate just the birth, and others, the enlightenment.
What is the significance of Vesak?
The term Buddha is not a name but a title, which can be translated as
the "Enlightened One". He became the Buddha through his realisation of
full enlightenment, a state also known as nirvana in Sanskrit, or nibbana in
Pali – the language of many of the earlier extant Buddhist scriptures.
the "Enlightened One". He became the Buddha through his realisation of
full enlightenment, a state also known as nirvana in Sanskrit, or nibbana in
Pali – the language of many of the earlier extant Buddhist scriptures.
As a result of enlightenment, all hatred and greed is extinguished, so there is no
more rebirth. The Buddha achieved the state of nirvana and this is celebrated
on Vesak, so Buddhists don't usually refer to the Buddha's death but to his passing
into nirvana or nibbana.
more rebirth. The Buddha achieved the state of nirvana and this is celebrated
on Vesak, so Buddhists don't usually refer to the Buddha's death but to his passing
into nirvana or nibbana.
What is the significance of Vesak?
The term Buddha is not a name but
a title, which can be translated as
the "Enlightened One". He became
the Buddha through his realisation
of full enlightenment, a state also
known as nirvana in Sanskrit, or
nibbanain Pali – the language of many of the earlier extant Buddhist scriptures.
a title, which can be translated as
the "Enlightened One". He became
the Buddha through his realisation
of full enlightenment, a state also
known as nirvana in Sanskrit, or
nibbanain Pali – the language of many of the earlier extant Buddhist scriptures.
As a result of enlightenment, all hatred and greed is extinguished, so there is
no more rebirth. The Buddha achieved the state of nirvana and this is celebrated
on Vesak, so Buddhists don't usually refer to the Buddha's death but to his passing
into nirvana or nibbana.
no more rebirth. The Buddha achieved the state of nirvana and this is celebrated
on Vesak, so Buddhists don't usually refer to the Buddha's death but to his passing
into nirvana or nibbana.
In Buddhism, death means rebirth rather than signifying the end of life. However, it differentiates it from reincarnation because Buddhism does not recognise a self or soul that is continually reappearing in a new form.
Tradition states the Buddha himself guided his followers on how to pay homage to Vesak. Before he died, he saw his faithful attendant Ananda weeping.
He advised him not to cry, but to understand the universal law that all compounded
things – including his body – must disintegrate. He advised his followers to regard
his teachings, The Dhamma, as their teacher from then on and to celebrate Vesak
by leading noble lives, showing kindness and bringing peace and harmony to humanity.
He advised him not to cry, but to understand the universal law that all compounded
things – including his body – must disintegrate. He advised his followers to regard
his teachings, The Dhamma, as their teacher from then on and to celebrate Vesak
by leading noble lives, showing kindness and bringing peace and harmony to humanity.
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