WESAK Day, which falls on a full-moon day in May every year, is considered the holiest day in the Buddhist calendar and is a major festival in predominantly Buddhist countries.
Wesak marks three sublime events in the life of Lord Gautama Buddha – his birth, enlightenment, and his passing away or Parinibbana. The Buddha was born in the year 623 BC on the Wesak full moon day in Lumbini Park, Kapilavathu, in Northern India as Prince Siddharta Gautama. His enlightenment came in the year 588 BC when, as he sat under a Bodhi tree at Budhagaya, he attained perfect enlightenment by eradicating all defilements, purifying himself, and comprehending the true nature of existence or Dhamma. He retired to Kusinara on his 80th year and lying on a couch between two trees he passed away in a peaceful state of mind.
On this auspicious day, the Buddhists commemorate the occasion by congregating at temples to listen to the Dhamma, meditate, observe the Eight Precepts, or simply reflect on the virtues of the Lord Buddha. Through such commemoration, the teachings of the Dhamma – of loving kindness, compassion, equanimity, and the wisdom of Buddha, will continue to flourish.
We join our Buddhist brothers and sisters in commemorating this important event – Wesak Day.
