All-Island Eassy Competition - Winners

Age 12 – 14 years

The Festival of Vesak

Day by day we are getting closer to the thrice blessed day Vesak commemorating the birth of Prince Siddhartha, enlightenment and his passing away. It is a very special day for Buddhists all over the world. This year we are to celebrate it on May 19.

Early in the morning people wearing white clothes throng to the temples. There they offer flowers, light lamps and incense sticks, which diffuse the fragrance everywhere.

Some people observe sil, the eight precepts. Everyone has the idea to get rid of the busy daily life and to cultivate spiritual development and peace of mind.

Monks preach 'Bana' sermons and 'Jathaka Katha.' They hold 'Buddha Pooja' and 'Dhamma' discussions. People meditate under the Bodhi trees. There is a peaceful environment everywhere. Roads are decorated with Buddhist flags. People decorate their houses with buckets, colourful Vesak lanterns and colourful bulbs. In many places there are Vesak lantern competitions and pandals. In some alm houses they give food, desserts and drinks to people freely. Tables are laid out and anyone passing by is invited to have a meal.

Let us celebrate this festival of Vesak happily and peacefully.

Bhanuka Kumara, (12 years)
Republican International School,
Nuwara Eliya

9 – 11 years

My favourite time of the year

April is my favourite time of the year. From the first week of April a 'koha' sits on a mango tree in our garden and starts telling me that it's Avurudu time.

The first thing we do is to go shopping for new clothes. And we also buy gifts for all our relations. Secondly my mother begins to prepare sweetmeats and I love to help her make the chocolate cake. When the Avurudu day gets closer, all of us get together and give a face lift to our entire house.

I love to go to my neigbours' houses with the sweetmeats and they also come to visit us. Finally on the Avurudu day I light the crackers with my father at the 'nakath' time while my mother prepares milk rice. It's nice to do everything at auspicious times on this special day.

Thereafter I visit my relations and have real fun playing with my cousins. It's very exciting to exchange gifts and spend time with my extended family during my favourite time of the year.

Shamindri Jayawarna
Colombo International School, Kandy