Significance of Wesak

Beliefs and significance of Wesak- Buddha Day.

Beliefs

The Buddha was enlightened and achieved nirvana.
Adherents include themselves in acts of generosity, meditation and in observing extra precepts; these acts live out Buddha’s teachings and central beliefs.
Wesak celebrates the birth of a special human being- the Buddha, his enlightenment and ordinary death.
The Buddha’s enlightenment is a sign of hope for all people that anyone can achieve enlightenment.
The Buddha’s death was ordinary like all other people, but it freed him from suffering and rebirth, this reaffirmed the teaching that all things are impermanent and wesak celebrates his freedom as well as central teachings.
The celebration of the Buddha Day is strong in the Theravada tradition.

Significance

Lanterns symbolise Buddha’s enlightenment.
Adherents participate in meditation, in observing extra precepts and in involving themselves in acts of generosity; therefore they are living out the teachings in order to celebrate a special occasion and to achieve enlightenment.

Significance of Wesak -1

Lies with the Buddha, and his universal peace message to mankind.
The heart of the teachings of the Buddha is contained in the teachings of the Four Noble Truths, namely

- The Noble Truth of Dukkha

- The origin or cause of suffering

- The end of cessation of suffering

- The path which leads to the cessation of all suffering- The Noble Eightfold Path

The purpose of life is to put an end to suffering and all other forms of unsatisfactory conditions- to realise peace and real happiness.
The Noble Eightfold path avoids the extremes of self indulgence
Morality or good conduct is the avoidance of evil or unwholesome actions- actions which are tainted by greed, hatred, and delusion.
Additional 3 precepts to follow -
The teaching of the Buddha became a great civilising force wherever it went.
The teaching of the Buddha is open to all to see and judge for themselves.
Shows appreciation to Buddha, and acknowledges the importance of the knowledge he held.
The importance of Nirvana and Samsara, hence, the need to oblige by the Four Noble truths, and also the Eightfold path.
Encourages a greater expression of faith amongst adherents of Therevada Buddhism.
It Is significant as it contemplates the logical mind, and allows the adherent to see causes and effect, and the true nature of existence, therefore paving the way for wisdom and insight.

Significance of Wesak – 2

Wesak is the most important of the public puja festivals within Buddhism and it is enjoyed and celebrated by all within the community.

Puja is worship; the ritual that honours a God or a Goddess as a divine guest, usually in a temple but can also be a domestic ritual.

Wesak is so called because it is the name of the Buddha’s birth month. It is the same month in which he reached Enlightenment and spirituality passed into Nirvana

Wesak is a festival and a puja is significant for both the individual and the Buddhist community for a number of reasons.

For individuals: the significance is related to a personal response to a spiritual meaning behind the enjoyment of the activities within this particular puja

It celebrated the Buddha’s final passing into Nirvana (refers to as parinirvana)

Significance to the Buddha’s community is a day to remember what is possible in life and what everyone is striving for in existence

Wesak is a day for focusing the mind (both individual and collectively) on three things:
Buddha was a remarkable individual
He lived a life which was an important and life changing example
This example coupled with his message allowed people to know what it means to be a complete human being