Tomorrow the Buddhists in Malaysia celebrate Wesak (can also spelt Vesak). Vesak actually comes from the name of a month in the Indian calendar.
This special day in the Buddhist calendar commemorates three significant events in Gautama Buddha’s life – namely his birthday, his enlightenment and his death.
During this festival, devotees bring offerings of flowers, joss-sticks and candles. This is to remind them that, just as flowers wither and die, and joss sticks and candles burn away, so too is life – temporary.
The celebrations started with Chanting of Parittas by Bhikkus for Blessing on Sunday, 11 May at the Siamese temple that I go to in Ipoh. On Monday they had a ceremony to offer lotus candles, flowers and incense to the Buddha and also sprinkling of holy water by the Bhikkus. On Wesak day, devotees start to light lotus candles as early as 7.00 a.m. At 7.30 a.m. there is the observance of the 5 precepts. Then there is a Buddha puja ceremony at 11 a.m. Later on there is offering of food to Bhikkus. Free vegetarian lunch would be served to devotees and finally there is a procession around the Shrine Hall later in the evening.The
On Sunday I, along with my aunt, was at the Wat Siribunya Maggarama (Tambun Road Siamese Temple) to offer prayers.
During this festival, devotees bring offerings of flowers, joss-sticks and candles. This is to remind them that, just as flowers wither and die, and joss sticks and candles burn away, so too is life – temporary.
The celebrations started with Chanting of Parittas by Bhikkus for Blessing on Sunday, 11 May at the Siamese temple that I go to in Ipoh. On Monday they had a ceremony to offer lotus candles, flowers and incense to the Buddha and also sprinkling of holy water by the Bhikkus. On Wesak day, devotees start to light lotus candles as early as 7.00 a.m. At 7.30 a.m. there is the observance of the 5 precepts. Then there is a Buddha puja ceremony at 11 a.m. Later on there is offering of food to Bhikkus. Free vegetarian lunch would be served to devotees and finally there is a procession around the Shrine Hall later in the evening.The
On Sunday I, along with my aunt, was at the Wat Siribunya Maggarama (Tambun Road Siamese Temple) to offer prayers.
I even managed to carry out the ‘Bathing the Buddha’ ceremony. This ritual is important and often a part of the celebration where water is poured over the shoulders of the Buddha. This serves to remind fellow Buddhists to purify the mind from greed, lead noble lives and practise morality and kindness.
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