Let’s make Vesak meaningful by living teachings of Buddha

Vesak calls everyone following the teachings of the Buddha to reflect on his teachings and what it means to be a Buddhist 

Sri Lanka stands out as a predominantly Buddhist country that has celebrated Vesak in a  dignified manner ever since Buddhism was introduced to the country. History records Buddhism was the main religion in the land and had the patronage of the Kings who did everything possible to spread the religion.
Even during the administration of the foreign powers, most Sri Lankans lived their religion, and thanks to them up to the present generation Buddhism remains the main religion of the majority. The United Nations recognized the contribution of Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha made to make the world a better place to live and gave Buddhism international recognition.
The United Nations General Assembly through resolution 54/ 115 of 1999, recognized internationally Vesak, the major festival of Buddhism, one of the oldest religions of the world. 
Vesak is commemorated at the UN Headquarters and other UN Offices/permanent missions across the globe. Until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lankans celebrated Vesak. Sadly, we could not celebrate Vesak as in the past during the pandemic years.
Vesak is the most important Buddhist festival that commemorates the Birth, the Enlightenment -Nibbāna and the passing away – Parinirvāna of the Gautama Buddha. Millions of people across the world were moved to live a better life through the teachings of the Buddha and His message of compassion, peace and goodwill.

Teachings of Buddha

Vesak calls everyone following the teachings of the Buddha to reflect on his teachings and what it means to be a Buddhist. Celebration of Vesak provides us an opportunity to promote, peace and reconciliation, deeply rooted values of Buddhism. The Vesak Day invites us to give new life to the teachings of the Buddha, as we are right now living in conflicting situations in the world and the country. We have to understand the deep meaning of the words of the Buddha said centuries ago: “hatred is never appeased by hatred.”  If Vesak celebrations have their meaning, we have to live the teaching every day in our lives. Otherwise, the Vesak Message will be forgotten until Vesak  next year. But as true Buddhists, we must make all efforts to live the teaching and practice the religion without limiting it to mere words. That is to live the principle teaching as true Buddhists.  
We celebrate Vesak on the day of the Full Moon in May and for Buddhists across the world it is the most sacred day. Today we recall sublime events that occurred in the Life of the Lord Buddha. It was on a day like this more than two and a half million years ago, in 623 BC, the Buddha was born as  Prince Siddhartha, and on a day like this that the Prince  gave up worldly pleasures to attain Enlightenment- Nibbaana and passed away from this world at the age of 80.
Siddhartha is believed to have been a Prince born into a wealthy family in what is now called Nepal in the 5th Century BC. The teaching is that Prince Siddhartha Gautama had realized that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness. So, he traveled as a homeless holy man to learn more about the world and see the suffering in the world. We are living in a poverty-stricken land and there is so much want and suffering. Vesak invites us to think seriously about the way we celebrated the blessed day in the past and taking the present situation into account we should give preference to live the teaching rather than merrymaking. If one goes around the cities, one would realize we are in a very pitiful state and the teaching of the Buddha is very realistic and opens our eyes and our minds. 
It is very opportune to recall what the former Secretary-General, Javier Perez de Cuellar said in his Vesak Message in May 1986:  For Buddhists everywhere, it is indeed a felicitous opportunity while commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Gautama Buddha, to celebrate his message of compassion and devotion to the service of humanity.
This message is perhaps more relevant today than ever before. “Peace, understanding, and a vision of humanity supersedes national and other international differences and they are essential to cope with the complexities of the nuclear age. This philosophy lies at the heart of the Charter of the United Nations and should be prominent in all our thinking, especially during this International Year of Peace”, Javier Perez de Cuellar added.
On the Vasak Day, we are reminded of the very appropriate words Antonio Guterres the Secretary General of the United Nations said in  2023. He said:  ”At this time of strife, the Buddha’s teachings of tolerance, compassion, and service to humanity are a source of solace and strength. As we navigate the path to a better future, let us seize the spirit of Vesak”.
His words echo in our minds even today for the world is threatened with unpredictable situations such as fear of death, fear of want and a bleak future.
Vesak is celebrated once a year.  The date of Vesak changes each year as it takes place at the time of the first full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesak, which usually falls in May or early June.
Each Buddhist culture has its own traditions. Buddhists will visit their local temple and perform good deeds, take part in chanting and meditation, reflect on the teachings of the Buddha, bring offerings to the temple, and share food with people. Let us show  brotherhood to all with no distinctions or favours. 
 (The writer is the Executive Director- Dhamma Voice International and Adviser to Dhammavoice centre in Singapore)