May '10 Newsletter

EHIPASSIKO

Wesak day, the tri-sacred day is not only celebrated in our country. Many other countries celebrate this special day in their own way. This newsletter will be bringing everyone around the world to look at different cultures celebrating Wesak day.

We shall start with Malaysia.
In Malaysia, we celebrate Wesak much like every other country since almost all schools of Buddhism exists in the country. The usual activities are the lantern and float processions, lighting of oil lamps and candles, charity fairs, bathing the little Buddha and blessing sessions.

Then we move on to our neighboring country, Thailand.
Thailand is the country with the highest proportion of Buddhist in the world. Wesak day, or Visakha Bucha day as they call in Thailand, is celebrated in a large scale with events that have participation of over 200,000 people and is considered one of their popular holiday attractions. Statues and stupas are nicely decorated with lights and flowers to welcome guests into grand pujas. There are also long processions and exhibitions at bigger temples where rare Buddhist artifacts and relics are shown.

Australia
Many do not expect this big non-Buddhist country to celebrate Wesak day. But in major cities in Australia, Wesak day, known as Buddha's day, is organized mostly by Mahayana Buddhists in very modern ways. Many conventions are organized all over Australia to introduce the religion to the public while performing traditional practices with a modern twist.

Most other countries follow a similar manner of celebrating Wesak day to match their local cultures.

New Zealand Buddha's Birthday
Scotland, UK Vesak Day
Myanmar វិសាខបូជា Visak Bochéa
Taiwan 佛誕
South Korea 석가 탄신일 Seokka Tanshin-il
Tibet ས་ག་ཟླ་བ། Saga Dawa
Japan 花祭 (Hanamatsuri)
No matter how Wesak Day is celebrated around the world, it always aims to remind us of the contributions made by Lord Buddha and also to remind us to follow his teachings in our daily life in pursuing Nibanna.

**IMU Buddhist Society is organizing a Wesak Day Temple Hopping trip to visit several Buddhist centres around Klang Valley and join them in their celebration on 28 May 2010. For more information please visit our Facebook event page or the blog post.

Sukhi Hotu
Article by Fong Ren Yi