This year, the National Parks Board as well as the Buddhist Fellowship have advised against the practice, pointing out that most tame animals let into the wild might not survive and those animals that do survive might upset the ecosystem in the wild.
In Singapore, Vesak Day was made a public holiday only in after many public petitions. In the early decades of the 20th century, Vesak Day was associated with the Ceylonese community which then celebrated it along with their National Day in a two-day event.
We have been experiencing some problems with subscriber log-ins and apologise for the inconvenience caused. Until we resolve the issues, subscribers need not log in to access ST Digital articles. But a log-in is still required for our PDFs. Skip to main content. If you know anything about Buddhism, you probably know how much of it seems to boil down to advice your therapist might give you. So here, as part of our Holiday Cheat Sheet , is a brief rundown on one of the most important holidays in the Buddhist world: Vesak Day.
Date: Vesak Day always falls in the spring, but the precise dates vary depending on which calendar is being used — the Chinese, Buddhist, Hindu or Gregorian. On a Scale of 1 to Vesak scores a perfect 10, according to my friend Tracey Nguyen, the granddaughter of Buddhist monks. There is nothing more important than the life and times of the Buddha.
Although stories of his birth vary, most sacred texts hold that Siddhartha was born in a field in the foothills of the Himalayas. Siddhartha did not see suffering — illness, old age and death — until he was well into adulthood; and, when he did, it deeply affected him. His goal was singular: to find an end to human suffering. At one point during his years-long journey, Siddhartha stopped eating and grew desperately thin and weak. When he became too weak to meditate, he finally accepted food.
This is what is referred to as his Enlightenment. It marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama , born 2, years ago. Vesak is observed on different days year-to-year, as celebrations are planned for the first full moon of May, the month of Vesakha in Hindu and Buddhist calendars. Buddhists in China, however, follow the Chinese lunar calendar to plan their Vesak celebrations, and observe the holiday on the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar year.
In each place where Vesak is celebrated, devotees typically assemble in their local temples for a ceremonial hoisting of the Buddhist flag and a singing of hymns praising the three jewels.
Offerings of flowers, candles, and burning incense are made. From there, the method of celebration varies from place to place. This day is commemorated annually at the UN Headquarters and other UN offices, in consultation with the relevant UN offices and with permanent missions, which also wish to be consulted. The teachings of the Buddha, and his message of compassion and peace and goodwill have moved millions. Millions around the world follow the teachings of the Buddha and on the Day of Vesak commemorate the birth, the attainment of enlightenment and the passing away of the Buddha.
This message is today perhaps more relevant than ever before. Peace, understanding and a vision of humanity that supersedes national and other international differences are essential if we are to cope with the complexities of the nuclear age.
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