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Held annually to honor the Buddha and the compassionate values he brought to the world, the Vesak Celebration is a significant event in Buddhist history. This event attracts the attention of many Buddhists and tourists from all over the world. Simultaneously, many other religious and cultural activities are organized alongside the celebration, promising to bring many spiritual and intellectual benefits to the Buddhist community. Certainly, this year's Vesak Celebration will be an unmissable experience for those who love and care about Buddhism.
Buddha's Birthday Celebration: A Day of Honoring the Compassion of the Buddha
Buddha's Birthday is one of the major cultural and spiritual festivals for Buddhists. It commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, in the 7th century BC in the form of a historical figure.
As a master of gods and humans, from the moment of his birth, the Buddha was different from other children. This was exemplified by the image of the infant taking seven steps upon seven lotus flowers.
Previously, countries following the Mahayana tradition (such as China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam) would celebrate Buddha's Birthday on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month. Countries following the Theravada tradition would celebrate on the 15th day of the 4th lunar month. However, at the first World Buddhist Congress held in Sri Lanka in 1950, 26 Buddhist delegations from member countries unanimously agreed to choose the 15th day of the 4th lunar month each year as International Buddha's Birthday.
Buddha's Birthday is a sacred holiday for the Buddhist community.
Since 1999, the Buddha's Birthday on April 15th (lunar calendar) has been recognized by the United Nations as a world cultural and spiritual festival. The Buddha's Birthday is one of the three festivals that make up the Triple Festival, which the United Nations calls Vesak (the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death).
On November 28, 2022, members of the United Nations International Vesak Celebration Committee agreed on the main theme for the 2023 United Nations Vesak Celebration: “Buddhist Wisdom Coping with Global Crises.” The celebration will take place from May 31 to June 1, 2023, at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand.
The Significance of Buddha's Birthday
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was a historical figure, born into a royal family; his father was King Suddhodana, and his mother was Queen Maya. He was raised and educated to become the successor to the throne and leader of Kapilavastu.
However, he renounced everything to embark on the journey of experiencing and discovering the Four Noble Truths: suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the method to end suffering (the Four Noble Truths). He also taught methods for people to attain relative happiness and true happiness – if they have the will, even in this lifetime, enlightened by wisdom through mindfulness and meditation practice.
His teachings transcend all conventional dogmas, enduring through thousands of years and remaining a source of inspiration for those seeking true happiness for themselves and their communities.
In Vietnam, the Buddha's Birthday celebration is organized solemnly and respectfully by the Buddhist community.
Beyond its commemorative significance, this day carries a more sacred meaning: it reminds all Buddhist disciples to constantly strive in their practice, to let go of attachments, to return to themselves, to find their true nature, their original face.
Meaningful activities during the Buddha's Birthday celebration.
All activities during the Buddha's Birthday celebration carry profound meaning and are closely intertwined with traditional Vietnamese culture. Decorating homes, temples, and pagodas with images of lotus flowers and pristine white blossoms expresses respect and reverence for Shakyamuni Buddha - the compassionate Bodhisattva.
Activities at temples on this day are also rich and diverse. People usually go to temples to pray and light candles, place wreaths before Buddha statues, and perform traditional rituals. In addition, there are activities such as meditation, Buddha processions, prayers for peace, sermons, and exchanging blessings.
Offering flowers to the Buddha during the Buddha's Birthday celebration at Thien Ton Phat Quang Monastery (Ba Ria Vung Tau).
Besides that, there are also young people who dedicate their time and effort to participating in meaningful volunteer work days, as a gift to the Buddha during this great celebration. Ngoc Linh (21 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) said that every Buddha's Birthday season, she tries to arrange her time to participate in volunteer work at temples. She knows that this year, she and her friends will attend the ceremony and volunteer at Thien Ton Phat Quang Temple (Dinh Mountain, Ba Ria - Vung Tau). "The volunteer work days are tiring but will be very enjoyable, because I get to live in the love of the Venerable Monks, Nuns and fellow monks at the temple," Ngoc Linh shared.
Many young people participated in volunteer work during this meaningful holiday season.
In particular, on Buddha's Birthday, many temples organize charitable activities, such as giving gifts to the needy, opening free kitchens, and providing free medical services. This shows that Buddha's Birthday is not only a day to honor Shakyamuni Buddha, but also an opportunity for people to share love and compassion with the community.
Information on Buddha's Birthday activities at temples in Southern Vietnam:
- The "Returning to Take Refuge in the Buddha" lantern festival, held to celebrate the Buddha's Birthday in 2023 at Dieu Phap Pagoda (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City), took place from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM on May 31, 2023 (corresponding to the 13th day of the 4th lunar month).
- The Buddha bathing ceremony at Quan Am Monastery (Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City) will take place from 4:00 AM to 5:00 PM and from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM on June 2nd (corresponding to the 15th day of the 4th lunar month).
- The opening of the cultural space exhibition celebrating the Buddha's birthday and commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc's self-immolation for the Dharma, along with the Buddha bathing ceremony, will take place on May 26th (the 8th day of the 4th lunar month) at Minh Dao Pagoda (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City).
- The Buddha's Birthday celebration program will take place from May 31st (April 14th in the lunar calendar) to June 2nd (April 15th in the lunar calendar) at Thien Ton Phat Quang Monastery (Dinh Mountain, Ba Ria - Vung Tau).
