It’s traditional on Vesak to share inspiring stories of he Buddha’s life. At this time of Covid-19, I’m reminded of the occasion where the Buddha encountered a monk suffering from dysentery who had been neglected by the other monks. The Buddha himself washed the monk, removing the urine and excrement, and then transferred him to a new bed. Afterwards the Buddha admonished the neglectful monks, saying:
" If you don’t tend to one another, who then will tend to you? Whoever would tend to me, should tend to the sick."
This Vesak, I express my gratitude to all the front-line healthcare workers, whose determination, kindness and bravery have helped so many recover from the covid-19 virus.
Sakyamuni Buddha was 624 BC-544 BC. As of 2020, it has been 2564 years since the Buddha’s death. However, Thailand and Laos were in 2563. What makes this one year difference?
I’ve just noticed that we have two threads on the same topic, in different categories. This one is the oldest, so I’ll add the newer one below. And then locate them in the watercooler.
May 7 except the calendar Gabriel linked earlier says May 6 (I believe it’s June in Butan ).
The actual full moon is around 13:00 on the 7th here so I’ll go by that.
These dates are a little bit slippery and are due to different reckonings by different communities.
This year the Vesak full moon day in the Thai forest tradition falls on the 6th May and on the 7th for Sri Lankan communities. Sometimes they match up! Sometimes they don’t…
But, generally with uposathha dates, there is always some variation and they are not necessarily according to the astronomical full moon but rather arrived at through a system of counting 15 or 14 day cycles.
Visakha Puja marks the beginning of a new lunar month, named Visakha. Regarding the dates, I wonder if its similar to the observance of the seasons which traditionally begins at dawn on the day after the full moon. I wonder if months are the same?
Personally, whatever the date its observed, for me (being miles away from any centres/communities) uposatha days are a nice kick up the proverbial to observe more precepts, read some suttas / commentaries and try to maintain the mindfulness volume control to 11.
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In Australia (or all over the world I guess ) you can participate in a virtual Vesak celebration online, organised by the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils.
There will be prayers and chanting (including Bhante Sujato and I chanting the Ratana Sutta) along with Dhamma talks and guided meditations.
The event will be live streamed on Sunday 10th May starting at 4pm AEST.
You can access the stream on the day through any of the links below.
Our intention for the day is to share and practice in community and to contemplate the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha in gratitude and joy. There will be chanting, silent meditation, movement and sharing.
Registration:send a message to Tilorien stating ‘Vesak’ in the subject line. You will then receive further details for participation and online access. Places are limited.
The Berkeley Buddhist Monastery in California is celebrating Vesak this Saturday, May 9th, starting at 6:30 am Pacific time or 9:30 am EST. Here is the link to register or just watch the ceremony. The link includes the agenda and mantras recitation. Scroll down the link:
) you can participate in a virtual Vesak celebration online, organised by the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils.
