OK 'fess up. Who doesn't really know what Vesak Day is all about?
Me! I always thought it was some kinda Buddhist festival and it definitely had something to do with Buddha of course but exactly what, no clue.
Well I am not the only one ok. Asked K, she didn't know. Asked 3 or 4 of my colleagues yesterday, blank faces. Asked a couple of buddies last nite, embarassed giggles.
Mebbe birds of a clueless feather flock together =)) So much for our multi-racial, multi-religious, uniquely S'porean upbringing.
Anyway had to go to, where else(?), Wikipedia for answers =))
Vesak/Wesak (from the name of the second month in the Hindu calendar, Vaisakha) is the most holy time in the Buddhist calendar. Hence on Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate three great events: The Birth, Enlightenment and the Passing Away of Gautama Buddha. This sacred day is purely a religious festival, and not a festive occasion. On this day all Buddhists are expected to re-affirm their faith in the Buddha Dhamma and to lead a noble religious life. It is a day for meditation and for radiating Loving-Kindness.
On Vesak day, devout Buddhists are expected to assemble in various temples before dawn for the ceremonial hoisting of the Buddhist Flag and the singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dharma (His teachings), and The Sangha (His disciples). Devotees may bring simple offerings of flowers, candles and joss-sticks to lay at the feet of their teacher. These symbolic offerings are to remind followers that just as the beautiful flowers would wither away after a short while and the candles and joss-sticks would soon burn out, so too is life subject to decay and destruction. Devotees are enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day. Birds and animals are also released by the thousands in a symbolic act to liberation, of giving freedom to those who are in captivity. Some devout Buddhists will wear a simple white dress and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe the 8 precepts which are :
1. Not to kill
2. Not to steal
3. Not to engage in sexual misconduct
4. Not to indulge in wrong speech
5. Not to take intoxicating drinks and drugs
6. To abstain from taking food at unreasonable time
7. To refrain from sensual pleasures such as dancing, singing and self-adornment
8. To refrain from using high and luxurious seats in order to practice humility.
Well lucky I am not Buddhist because I was the complete anti-thesis of a good Sangha today, let alone radiating any form of loving kindness.
On the way to gorging myself silly with a double-brunch of meaty Banana-leaf Masala delights and a huge bowl of Prawn Noodles at Joo Chiat, I mentally slaughtered at least a dozen idiotic, inconsiderate pedestrians and motorists who were out in force on the roads because of the temple visits. To say I 'indulged in wrong speech' while driving would be a gross understatement =)) And oh yes, after midnite last nite, I finished 2 more Hoegaardens although I already had a pint during dinner. Does singing in the shower count as a sensual pleasure? =))
But its Number 8 that confounds me. How high is high? =))