Funday Times

This year Vesak is more significant than in other years. The 2550th Sambuddha Jayanthi is being celebrated this year marking the completion of 2550 years after the passing-away of the Buddha. Fifty years ago, in 1956, Sri Lanka and other Buddhist countries commemorated the Buddha Jayanthi - 2500 years since the parinibbana of the Buddha.

Vesak is identified as the 'thrice-blessed day' commemorating the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing-away of the Buddha. Devotees clad in white, throng to the temples to observe sil and spend the day listening to bana, participate in Buddha puja and to meditate. The observance of sil continues throughout the day and night adhering to the eight precepts - ata sil (as against pan sil on other days). In addition to abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual indulgence, uttering lies and consuming anything that causes intoxication and heedlessness, ata-sil provides for an additional three precepts - abstaining from taking food at inappropriate times, dancing, singing, music and unseemly shows, the use of garlands, perfumes and things that beautify and adorn a person, and from using high and luxurious seats.

Simplicity is the keyword for Vesak. All devotees wear white and avoid coloured clothes. All Buddhists whether they observe sil or not, will refrain from eating fish, meat or eggs on Vesak day. They all prefer a simple vegetarian meal. In fact, many of them will remain vegetarian for a whole week or even throughout the month of Vesak. They will sit on mats and listen to bana and par take of the alms. Those who find it difficult to sit on the floor will use a low stool or a chair, rather reluctantly.

The day begins with a resident monk in the temple reciting the eight precepts, one at a time with the devotees repeating the words after the monk thereby observing the precepts. This will be followed by a short sermon when the monk discusses the significance of Vesak. Even though everyone would be well aware of the importance of the day, the sermon would help them to refresh their memories. The Buddha puja is held in the budu ge with flowers, incense and food items being offered to the Buddha. The monks are then offered the heel dana (morning alms) and the devotees too would partake of their food.

Monks who have earned a reputation for eloquent preaching have a busy day on Vesak day being picked up from one temple to another to deliver sermons. In addition to sermons, there will be guided meditation by monks well versed in the subject and the devotees would then spend time meditating on their own until the mid-day dana time. The morning routine would be followed and the devotees would take a short rest after their own dana. They would then listen to more sermons, chant pirith and participate in gilan pasa puja in the evening when only offerings in liquid form are made in keeping with the practice of avoiding solids after noon.

Most devotees would spend the night at the temple itself and return home only the following morning having completed a full 24-hour observance of ata sil. The ending of ata sil is marked by observing pan sil thereby getting back to the routine of the five precepts.

Vesak is a time for giving. The numerous dansalas seen by the roadside symbolize the concept of giving. Vehicles would be stopped and offered at least a soft drink. Many would be given a sumptuous meal at noon. The servings continue late into the night with crowds getting about to see the illuminations and pandals.

Vesak is also a festival of lights. Every home will light pol thel pahan and lanterns as offerings to the Buddha. Elaborate Vesak koodus are a big attraction with one huge lantern surrounded by a host of smaller lanterns are made to circle round, forming a beautiful sight. Hundreds of bulbs are used in pandals when a Jataka story or a chapter from the Buddha's life story is depicted through colourful paintings and the story related through loud speakers often taking the form of a dialogue drama. Street performances are another familiar sight when youngsters wearing masks - generally called olu bakko - present skits providing light entertainment.