Vesak Festival in Sri Lanka: A Celebration of Light and Enlightenment – By Malsha – eLanka Vesak, also known as Buddha Purnima, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Sri Lanka, marking the birth, enlightenment, and death (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. Observed on the day of the full moon in the month of Vesakha (usually May), this sacred occasion is a time for reflection, devotion, and festive joy across the island nation. Historical and Religious Significance The Vesak festival traces its roots to the ancient Buddhist traditions and scriptures. It commemorates the three pivotal events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha: his birth in Lumbini, Nepal; his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India; and his passing away at Kushinagar, India. These events are seen as milestones in the Buddhist journey towards the cessation of suffering and the attainment of Nirvana. In ...
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Celebrating Vesak – By Niranjan Selvadurai Vesak holds a profound significance for over 500 million Buddhists scattered around the globe, as a time to celebrate the life, teachings, and spiritual legacy of Gautama Buddha. Falling on the day of the full moon during the month of May, Vesak commemorates the birth, the awakening (Bodhi), and the passing away (Parinirvana) of Siddhartha Gautama who is referred to as the Buddha – “the awakened one.” Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, current Nepal, around 563 BCE. At the age of 35 he realised his awakening under a Bo tree in Gaya, India. At the age of 80 he passed away in Kusinara, India. This symbolised his final liberation from the cycle of birth and death known as samsara. All three events took place on the Vesak full moon day. After his awakening, the Buddha spent the next 45 years teaching the Dharma ...
Pastor Jerome, Jesus, Buddha, and Sangha Discipline – By KKS Perera Source : dailymirror Gautama Buddha or his Dhamma cannot be subverted by anybody; but by the members of the Sangha community themselves; and today, a few among the Sangha community is quite enthusiastically engaged in this exercise; details are too shocking and appalling to pen; [for latest Ref. DM -19/05/2023], they are the worst conspiracies against the Buddhist order. Pastor Jerome, during a sermon to a large congregation of his followers, was alleged to have made several controversial utterings about other religions, specifically Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. The President has already instructed the law enforcement authorities to investigate and prosecute him, if he had violated the law of the land. The investigators should focus their attention on multiple angles to ascertain any hidden objectives to deliberately insult religions causing a violent backlash, as part of an international or local political conspiracy, ...
Important Buddhist holiday ” Vesak Poya day ” – By Malsha – eLanka Vesak (also spelled as Vesākha or Vesākha Puja) is an important Buddhist holiday that is celebrated on the full moon day (Poya day) of the Vesak month (usually in May) in the Buddhist calendar. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and death (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. On Vesak day, Buddhists around the world engage in various activities such as visiting temples, offering alms to monks, reciting Buddhist scriptures, meditating, and performing acts of kindness and charity. In some countries, colorful lanterns and decorations are put up, and processions are held to mark the occasion. Overall, Vesak day is a time for Buddhists to reflect on the life and teachings of the Buddha and to renew their commitment to the Buddhist path of wisdom, compassion, and peace. special of vesak poya day Vesak ...
Vesak Reflections – By Mahinda Gunewardena Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – May 2023 Vesak’, the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is a sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on such a day some 2600 years ago that Prince Siddhartha was born. It was also on such a day some 35 years later that Ascetic Siddhartha attained Enlightenment as Gautama Buddha. Gautama Buddha, spent the next 45 years showing the path to ending the un-ending cycle birth – decay – death (Samsara), a teaching, that today, continues to guide over 400 million people worldwide. In Sri Lanka, Vesak is celebrated by religious ceremonies and decorative edifices constructed to depict the various milestones of Prince Siddhartha, Ascetic Siddhartha and Gautama Buddha. It is said that Ascetic Siddhartha spent much time in solitude, deep in meditation reflecting upon the way ...
Poson Full Moon Poya – By Rakith Senanayake Source:Brisbane Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – June 2022 Aside from the Vesak festival, the Poson Poya, scheduled annually in June, is the most celebrated full moon day for Buddhist devotees in Sri Lanka. It marks the arrival of Arahant Mahinda Thero from India with the noble teachings of the Gautama Buddha, and commemorates the beginning of the spread of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Having been passed on through the generations, the very essence of Buddhism is still there for everyone to freely understand and put into practice. Passing on these teachings without dilution and preserving the integrity of them for future generations is our duty At the core of Buddhism is the exploration of human suffering (Dukkha), its origin (Samudāya), cessation (Nirodha) and the path out of suffering (Magga, as outlined in the Eightfold Path) through the Four Noble Truths. Attempting ...
