7 Traditions of Buddhists in Celebrating Vesak Day

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - This year's Vesak Day 2568 BE falls on May 23. Vesak Day, or the day of the full moon, is a sacred day for millions of Buddhists worldwide to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha.

Vesak Day is typically observed through religious rites, including ceremonies, meditation, and sermons.

This year, at least 40 bhikkhus (monks) will partake in the Thudong ritual, the long-distance walking ritual, to Borobudur Temple ahead of the Tri Suci Vesak celebration. Hailing from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, the monks were ceremoniously sent off from Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in Cipayung, East Jakarta, on Tuesday, May 14.

At Borobudur Temple, the world's oldest Buddhist temple, the Vesak festivities commence with the drawing of holy water from the pristine springs and the lighting of torches. It ends with the release of thousands of lanterns, usually at 21:00 local time.

Aside from these customs, Buddhists traditionally engage in several traditions on Vesak Day as follows:

1. Quiet prayer and reflection

Buddhists commonly visit local and grand temples for introspective prayer and meditation. Temples usually organize their own programs to mark this sacred day.

2. Wear white clothes

While there is no prescribed attire for temple visits, Buddhists are encouraged to don white garments as a symbol of purity.

3. Practice the five precepts of Buddhism

Buddhists are reminded to abide by the five precepts of Buddha's teachings in their daily lives, which entail abstaining from killing, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct, speaking falsehoods, and indulging in intoxicants.

4. Light an oil lamp or candle

On Vesak Day, Buddhists usually light oil lamps or lotus-shaped candles, which are believed to ward off darkness and also symbolize illumination in one's life. The lotus flower itself symbolizes the blossoming of beauty in a chaotic world.

5. Fly a Buddhist flag

The Buddhist flag, designed by J.R. de Silva and Colonel Henry S. Olcott in the 1800s, features six vertical stripes of blue, yellow, red, white, and orange. Many temples distribute these flags for free to devotees to hang and fly them at home during the auspicious day.

6. Offer alms

Buddhists offer alms to monks such as food or basic necessities and medical supplies. As monks partake in only one meal a day, many individuals commonly visit temples to assist with food preparation.

7. Bathing ‘The Buddha’

On Vesak Day, Buddhists coming to the temple usually participate in the sacred ritual of bathing the Buddha. This ceremonial act is believed to cleanse the heart and mind of greed, hatred, and ignorance.

KHUMAR MAHENDRA | MILA NOVITA | ANASTASIA PRAMUDITA DAVIES | MEUTIA MURTI DEWI

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