Respected Venerables
Dear Compatriots,

Vesak: The 2600th Anniversary of the Buddha’s Enlightenment at UN HQs

Video: The United Nations Vesak and the 2600th Anniversary of the Buddha’s Enlightenment at the United Nations Headquarters, New York City, New York United States of America on Monday the 14th Waxing Moon of Visakha B.E.2554, May 16, A.D.2011 Year of the Rabbit

Watch video: http://www.templenews.org/2012/05/07/vesak-the-2600th-anniversary-of-the-buddhas-enlightenment-at-un-hqs/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejRdHwjqELs

Enjoy Vesak and thank you for watching.

Templenews TV

In celebration of Vesak Day

THE ENLIGHTENED ONE:

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc5RnicGjEM

ស្មូត្រថ្វាយផ្កា (Khmer Buddhist Hymn: Lotus for the Buddha)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk2dZAxqFLQ

ទឹកចិត្តអ្នកម្តាយ (Khmer Buddhist Hymn: Mother's Heart)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjMdPK_xrsE

Compassion-Buddhist Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIF2UBI-IGE

Vesak Day celebration at Wat Khemara Rangsey, San Jose, California on 5-6 May, 2012

Vesak Celebration at Calgary Buddhist Temple, Alberta, Canada

Click on the flyer to zoom in

Vesak Bochea Celebration at Wat Khemara Rangsey Pagoda in San Jose, California on May 8-9, 2010

Buddha statue inside the pagoda
Alm offering to the monks
Alm offering to the monks
Alm offering to the monks
Blessing from the monks
Blessing from the monks
Monks offering their prayers
Monks offering their prayers
Monks offering their prayers
Blessing from the monks

Buddha taught that we "cannot be happy as long as others suffer..."

A rich family in Cambodia (L) and a poor beggar in Cambodia. Buddha taught that we "cannot be happy as long as others suffer..."

UN chief calls for global compassion, solidarity on Buddhist day of Vesak

UNITED NATIONS, May 9 (Xinhua) -- In a message commemorating the Vesak Day, which marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called upon the world to learn from the spiritual leader's sense of compassion.

"The financial crisis, climate change, pandemics, terrorism and other international threats prove that the fates of all people are linked," the secretary-general wrote in his message.

He noted that a problem for one country can quickly turn into a global threat, saying that "I constantly remind leaders that we must act together or we will fail individually."

It is in the world's best interest to join forces in solidarity, as well as the right thing to do, Ban said. "More than 2,500 years ago Buddha taught that nothing exists in isolation."

Underscoring the idea, Ban noted that Buddha also taught that we "cannot be happy as long as others suffer, and that when we do reach out, we discover the best in ourselves."
"On this day of Vesak, let us resolve to help people who are suffering so that we may secure a better future for all," he said.

Vesak is an annual holiday observed traditionally by practicing Buddhists in South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, such as Nepal, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, Pakistan and India.

Sometimes informally called "Buddha's birthday," it actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment Nirvana, and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.

The exact date of Vesak varies according to the various lunar calendars used in different traditions. In Theravada countries following the Buddhist calendar, it falls on the full moon Uposatha day (typically the 5th or 6th lunar month). While the Vesak Day in China, it is on the eighth of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The date varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar but falls in April or May.

Buddhism: Vesak Fesival or Buddha Birthday

May 8, 2009
By Ashin Mettacara
OpenEdNews.com

Wesak Day aka Vesak Festival celebrates three major events in the life of Lord Buddha: His birth, Enlightenment and passing away (achievement of Nibbana). Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhattha Gotama on a full moon day in the month of Wesak (in Indian which is month of May in present day calendar) in 623 BC. Siddhattha began his search for enlightenment at age 29 and after six years realized the eternal truth, thus becoming the Buddha - which means the Awakened One. This auspicious event took place at dawn in the month of Wesak in 588 BC, which was also a full moon day. Lord Buddha taught the truth for 45 years until his final passing away into Nibbana on a full moon day in 543 BC.

Thus, all the three major events in Lord Buddha's life happened on a full moon day in the month of Wesak. As such Buddhists of both the Theravada and Mahayana tradition throughout the world celebrate this thrice-blessed day.

Lord Buddha's Enlightenment is the central event in Buddhism, and Enlightenment is an ideal to which all Buddhists aspire. Wesak Day is therefore the most important festival of the year. This year, Wesak Day falls on 8th May which is today.

Vesak is celebrated as a religious and a cultural festival in Sri Lanka on the full moon of the month of May, for a duration of one week. During this week, the selling of alcohol and flesh is usually prohibited. Prisoners who are eligible for parole are often released. Celebrations include various religious and alms giving activities. Electrically lit pandols called toranas are erected in various locations in Colombo and elsewhere, most sponsored by donors, religious societies and welfare groups. Each pandol illustrates a story from the 550 Jataka Katha or the 550 Past Life Stories of the Buddha. In addition, colourful lanterns called Vesak koodu are hung along streets and in front of homes. They signify the light of the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha. Food stalls set up by Buddhist devotees called dansälas provide free food and drinks to passersby. Groups of people from various community organisations, businesses and government departments sing bhakti gee or Buddhist devotional songs. Colombo experiences a massive influx of public from all parts of the country during this week.

Vesak is an annual holiday observed traditionally by practicing Buddhists in many Asian countries like Myanmar, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia,Pakistan, India, and Taiwan. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.

Vesak Bochea celebration

Cambodians march during Vesak Day in Oudong, north Cambodia, May 8, 2009. Vesak Day is held to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha more than 2,000 years ago. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodian Buddhist monks march as they hold their national flags to celebrate Vesak Day in Oudong, north Cambodia, May 8, 2009. Vesak Day is held to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha more than 2,000 years ago. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea Cambodian Buddhist monks march as they hold their national flags to celebrate Vesak Day in Oudong, north Cambodia, May 8, 2009. Vesak Day is held to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha more than 2,000 years ago. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea Cambodian Buddhist monks march as they hold their national flags to celebrate Vesak Day in Oudong, north Cambodia, May 8, 2009. Vesak Day is held to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha more than 2,000 years ago. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea Cambodian Buddhist monks celebrate Vesak Day in Oudong, north Cambodia, May 8, 2009. Vesak Day is held to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha more than 2,000 years ago. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea Lotus flowers are on display at a crowded place during the Buddha's enlightenment day at Udong, in Kandal province, north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, May 8, 2009. Hundreds of Buddhist monks and lay people gathered on the holiest day of the Buddhist calendar to marks the birth, and death of the Buddha. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) Cambodians light incense as they pray during Vesak Day in Oudong, north Cambodia, May 8, 2009. Vesak Day is held to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha more than 2,000 years ago. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea