Have a Blessed Vesak Day

Vesak Day, also spelt Wesak is the day that Buddhists around the world celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death (Paranirvana) of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world. The term Vesak comes from the name of a month in the Indian calendar. The decision to agree to celebrate Vesak as the Buddha’s birthday was formalized at the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in 1950.

In Malaysia, streets will be busy with parades, rituals, flower and candle ceremonies, and the bathing of the Buddha (statues). Some temples will display a small Buddha statues in front of the altar in a small basin filled with water and decorated with flowers, allowing devotees to pour water over the statue. It is the symbolic of the cleansing of a practitioner’s bad karma, and to reenact the events following the Buddha’s birth, when devas and spirits made heavenly offerings to him. Devotees are also enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day.

May yours truly wish all Buddhists a very happy and festive Vesak Day. For non-Buddhist , we wish you and your families have a joyful holiday!