Vesak

Vesākha (Pali; Sanskrit: Vaiśākha, Sinhala: වෙ�සක් වෙ��ය, Devanagari: वै�शा�ख), Wesak or Vesak also known as Buddha

Purnima is a holy day observed traditionally by Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Tibet, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and

the South East Asian countries of Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and

Indonesia.[1] Sometimes informally called "Buddha's Birthday", it actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment

(nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha.[2]

The exact date of Vesākha varies according to the various lunar calendars used in different traditions. In Theravada

countries following the Buddhist calendar, it falls on a full moon Uposatha day, typically in the 5th or 6th lunar month.

Vesākha Day in China and Korea is on the eighth of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The date varies from

year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar, but usually falls in April or May. In leap years Vesākha is celebrated in

June.

NEPAL: Buddha Jayanti == The name of the observance is derived from the Pali term vesākha or Sanskrit vaiśākha, which

is the name of the lunar month falling in April–May (see Vaisakha).[3] In Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the holiday is

known by its Sanskrit name and derived variants of it. Local renditions of the name vary by language, including: NEPAL:

Buddha Purnima (Budhha JAyanti)

History[edit]

The decision to agree to celebrate Vesākha as the Buddha’s birthday was formalized at the first conference of the World

Fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in 1950, although festivals at this time in the Buddhist world are a centuries-old

tradition. The resolution that was adopted at the World Conference reads as follows:[citation needed]

“ That this Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, while recording its appreciation of the gracious act of His Majesty, the Maharaja of Nepal in making the full-moon day of Vesak a Public Holiday in Nepal, earnestly requests the Heads of Governments of all countries in which large or small number of Buddhists are to be found, to take steps to make the full-moon day in the month of May a Public Holiday in honour of the Buddha, who is universally acclaimed as one of the greatest benefactors of Humanity. ”

On Vesākha Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The

birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into

many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesākha is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.

In 1999, the United Nations resolved to internationally observe the day of Vesak at its headquarters and offices.[6]

The celebration of Vesākha[edit]

May 2007 had two full moon days, the 1st and the 31st. Some countries (including Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Malaysia)

celebrated Vesākha on the 1st, while others (Thailand, Singapore) celebrated the holiday on the 31st due to different local

lunar observance. This difference also manifests in the observance of other Buddhist holidays, which are traditionally

observed at the local full moon.

Likewise, in 2012, Vesak or the birth anniversary of the Buddha was observed on 28 April in Hong Kong and Taiwan, on 5

May in Sri Lanka, on 6 May in India, on 28 May in South Korea and on 4 June in Thailand. (In 1999 the Taiwanese

government set Buddha's birthday as the second Sunday of May, the same date as Mother's Day.[7][8])

On Vesākha day, devout Buddhists and followers alike are expected and requested to assemble in their various temples

before dawn for the ceremonial, and honorable, hoisting of the Buddhist flag and the singing of hymns in praise of the

holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings), and The Sangha (his disciples). Devotees may bring simple

offerings of flowers, candles and joss-sticks to lay at the feet of their teacher. These symbolic offerings are to remind

followers that just as the beautiful flowers would wither away after a short while and the candles and joss-sticks would

soon burn out, so too is life subject to decay and destruction. Devotees are enjoined to make a special effort to refrain

from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day. In some countries, notably Sri

Lanka, two days are set aside for the celebration of Vesākha and all liquor shops and slaughter houses are closed by

government decree during the two days. Also birds, insects and animals are released by the thousands in what is known

as a 'symbolic act of liberation'; of giving freedom to those who are in captivity, imprisoned, or tortured against their will.

[citation needed] Some devout Buddhists will wear a simple white dress and spend the whole day in temples with renewed

determination to observe the eight Precepts.

Young novice on Vesākha Day Parade

Devout Buddhists undertake to lead a noble life according to the teaching by making daily affirmations to observe the Five

Precepts. However, on special days, notably new moon and full moon days, they observe the eight Precepts to train

themselves to practice morality, simplicity and humility.

Some temples also display a small image of the baby Buddha 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 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 expected to listen to talks given by monks. On this day monks will recite verses uttered by the Buddha

twenty-five centuries ago, to invoke peace and happiness for the government and the people. Buddhists are reminded to

live in harmony with people of other faiths and to respect the beliefs of other people as the Buddha taught.

Bringing happiness to others[edit]

Celebrating Vesākha also means making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the

handicapped and the sick. To this day, Buddhists will distribute gifts in cash and kind to various charitable homes

throughout the country. Vesākha is also a time for great joy and happiness, expressed not by pandering to one’s appetites

but by concentrating on useful activities such as decorating and illuminating temples, painting and creating exquisite

scenes from the life of the Buddha for public dissemination. Devout Buddhists also vie with one another to provide

refreshments and vegetarian food to followers who visit the temple to pay homage to the Enlightened One.[citation needed]

Paying homage to the Buddha[edit]

Tradition ascribes to the Buddha himself instruction on how to pay him homage. Just before he died, he saw his faithful

attendant Ananda, weeping. The Buddha advised him not to weep, but to understand the universal law that

all compounded things (including even his own body) must disintegrate. He advised everyone not to cry over the

disintegration of the physical body but to regard his teachings (The Dhamma) as their teacher from then on, because only

the Dhamma truth is eternal and not subject to the law of change. He also stressed that the way to pay homage to him was

not merely by offering flowers, incense, and lights, but by truly and sincerely striving to follow his teachings. This is how

Buddhists are expected to celebrate Vesak: to use the opportunity to reiterate their determination to lead noble lives, to

develop their minds, to practise loving-kindness and to bring peace and harmony to humanity.

Thaipusam

Thaipusam (Tamil: தை�ப்பூசம், Taippūcam ?) Thai Poosam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community

on the full moon in theTamil month of Thai (January/February). It is not only observed in countries where the Tamil

community constitutes a majority, but also in countries where Tamil communities are smaller, such as Malaysia,

[1] Mauritius[2] Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar[3]

The word Thaipusam is a combination of the name of the month, Thai, and the name of a star, Pusam. This particular star

is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates the occasion

when Parvati gave Murugan a Vel "spear" so he could vanquish the evil demonSoorapadman. There is a misconception

among people that Thaipusam marks Murugan's birthday; however, it is believed that Vaikhasi Vishakam, which falls in

the Vaikhasi month (May/June), is Murugan's birthday.[4]

Origin[edit]

Skanda (or Murugan) was created during one of the battles between the Asuras (or to be more specific Soorapadman) and

the Devas. At one point, the latter were defeated several times by the former. The Devas were unable to resist the

onslaught of the Asura forces. In despair, they approached Shiva and entreated to give them an able leader under whose

heroic leadership they might obtain victory over the Asuras. They surrendered themselves completely and prayed to

Shiva. Shiva granted their request by creating the mighty warrior, Skanda, out of his own power or Achintya Shakti. He at

once assumed leadership of the celestial forces, inspired them and defeated the Asura forces and to recognize that day the

people created the festival.

Kanda Puranam[edit]

According to Skanda Puranam, the legend of Murugan, and Thirupugal which are divine verses on Murugan, adhere to

Shaivam principles, Murugan is Shivan’s lights form and devotees pray to him as a wisdom of God. It is important to

understand that Murugan is NOT the son of Shivan. Murugan is the wisdom form of Shivan. The motive of Thaipusam

festival is to pray to God to receive his grace so that bad traits are deleted.[5]

Kavadi Or Cavadee[edit]

Thaipusam offers to God

Kavadi , Cavadee Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God

of War.[6] It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage. The Kavadi itself is a

physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God Murugan.[7]

Generally, Hindus take a vow to offer a kavadi to idol for the purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity. For

instance, if the devotee's son is laid up with a fatal disease, he would pray to Shanmuga to grant the boy a lease of life in

return for which the devotee would take a vow to dedicate a kavadi to Him.

Preparations[edit]

Vel kavadi

Devotees like Avinash Gooransingh prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting

approximately 48 days before Thaipusam. Kavadi-bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming

the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Murugan. The kavadi-bearer observescelibacy and take only pure, Satvik food,

once a day, while continuously thinking of God.

On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in

various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). At its simplest this may entail carrying a pot

of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with velskewers is also common.

The simplest kavadi is a semicircular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders, to the

temple. In addition, some have a small spear through their tongue, or a spear through the cheeks. The spear pierced

through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from speaking and gives

great power of endurance. Other types of kavadi involve hooks stuck into the back and either pulled by another walking

behind or being hung from a decorated bullock cart or more recently a tractor, with the point of incisions of the hooks

varying the level of pain.