[VIDEO] Wesak 2023 explained: a threefold sacred day for devotees

WESAK, also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Vaishakh Purnima, Saka Dawa and Buddha Day, is the most important of the Theravada Buddhist festivals.

It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama, most frequently referred to as the Buddha (the awakened).

It is observed on the full-moon day of the lunar month Visakha, which usually falls in April or May. 

It is marked by a special religious service and a mixture of deeds such as the lighting of oil lamps, offering of the robe or alms to monks and the chanting of Sutras.

In conjunction with Wesak Day, The Vibes Culture and Lifestyle spoke to Maha Amnoi, the assistant chief monk of Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple in Petaling Jaya.

“Wesak commemoration is for the day that he was born, the day he was enlightened into becoming a Buddha and the day that he passed away.

“Although all three significant chapters happened at a different time (day and month) – by right in total there are three days. This particular day was chosen to make it easy for all devotees to remember the history of the Buddha,” he told The Vibes.

Maha Amnoi also pointed out that among the activities carried out during Wesak Day is that devotees take part in the presentation of gifts, which are taken to an altar to be offered to the Buddha statues. 

This is a symbol of respect and gratitude to the Buddha for his life and teachings. 

Apart from that, ‘Bathing the Buddha’ statue ceremony is a ritual where water is poured by devotees over the shoulders of the Buddha as a reminder to free their minds from ignorance, hatred, and greed. 

While another form of ritual to humble the ego, purity the mind, and lessen the obstacles along the path as one repents past misdeeds and aspires towards spiritual improvement is known as the ‘Three Steps One Bow’.

On a final note, Maha Amnoi hopes every devotee would continue to remain with the teachings that had been expounded by Gautama Buddha to avoid evil deeds.

“Do good, avoid evil. Practise your mind – train and teach ourselves because, in life, we must all do good deeds, right? We know what is right from wrong.

“In Buddha’s teaching, it is all explained by him already that each action has its consequence. Everything depends on the person,” he asserts. – The Vibes, May 5, 2023