Why is Vesak a Celebration?

On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana) and passing away (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.

In Singapore and many other countries, Vesak is celebrated on the full moon of the fourth month of the lunar calendar. This is a tradition that dates back centuries, and was formalised at the first Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, held in 1950.

You may think that the passing away of the Buddha would be a sad, mournful event, but the teachings of the Buddha himself tell us that this should not be the case.

When he saw his disciple and attendant Ananda weeping because he was dying, the Buddha advised his followers that they should understand that all things must disintegrate, including his own body, and that they should not cry. He asked them to regard his teachings (the Dharma) as their teacher from then on, because the Dharma truth is eternal and not subject to the laws of change. He instructed that the way to pay homage to him was not merely with symbolic offerings, but by truly and sincerely trying to follow his teachings.

And so, Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day by reiterating their determination to lead noble lives, develop their minds, practice loving-kindness and bring peace and harmony to humanity. It’s a time of great joy, happiness and affirmation of faith, and devotees make special efforts to eat only vegetarian food, spend time at their temple, be charitable and make offerings of homage.

It is a public celebration of the life and teachings of the Buddha and a personal celebration for each devotee of their own determination to follow in his footsteps and live life according to the Four Noble Truths.