Vesak Vibes in the month of May

Forests have played a role in the life of Lord Buddha, Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in 623 B.C. in Lumbini, Nepal, on Vesak Day, the Full Moon Day in May, when Queen Māyā was picking a blossom from an ashoka tree (saraca asoca).  It was also on the Vesak Day that the Buddha attained enlightenment under a sacred fig tree (Bodhi tree) and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his eightieth year passed away in between two sal trees in the vicinity of Kusinara (now Kushinigar, India).  The principal of Buddha’s teachings was that materialism would not bring happiness, and

that attachment to material objects is a characteristic of human suffering rooted in the three poisons: lōbha(greed), dōsa (hatred) and mōha (delusion). Only when we attain inner peace and live in harmony with the natural world could set us free from suffering.

“As the bee derives honey from the flower without harming its colour or fragrance, so should the wise interact with their surroundings.” – (Dhammapada 49)

“One day a deity asked the Buddha, “Whose merit grows day and night, who is the righteous, virtuous person that goes to the realm of bliss?” Answered the Buddha, the merit of those people who plant groves, parks, build bridges, make ponds, dwelling places, etc. grows day and night, and such

religious persons go to heaven.” – (Vanaropa Sutta)

Buddhism is a doctrine of liberation that offers practical ways to purify our mind by seeing the Karma, the consequences of our actions so as to master our own desires, and to act for greater good by reducing harm and suffering, and developing a more sustainable, generous and mindful approach to life on Earth.

In the month of May, we’re going to celebrate Vesak Day, the Buddha's Birthday on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. 

“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.” - UN Secretary-General António Guterres 2023

The Buddha’s Birthday has been a public holiday in Hong Kong since 1997.  And this year, it will be on 15 May 2024.  For other countries, such as Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, India, Indonesia, Bhutan, etc., it’s on 22 and 23 May 2024.

The key ceremony on this day is bathing of the Buddha to symbolise inner purification and honour of the belief that, as a baby, Buddha’s body was showered with fragrance water from nine dragons as according to the Sutra of Universal Brilliance.  Vesak Day is a day to send some love to family and friends! A day to visit monastery, making offerings, donations to charity, volunteering, have vegetarian meals, quiet time for meditating, self-reflecting, and setting intentions to be more compassionate and kind in everyday life.

LOVING KINDNESS MEDITATION

May I be free from sorrow and always happy.

May those who desire welfare

Be free from sorrow and always happy.

May those who are indifferent towards me

Be free from sorrow and always happy.

May those who hate me be free from

Sorrow and always happy.

May all beings who live in this city

Be free from sorrow and always happy.

May all beings who live elsewhere be

Free from sorrow and always happy.

May all beings who live anywhere in

The world be free from sorrow and

Always happy.

May all beings living in every

Galaxy and each element of life in

Each of those systems be happy,

Having achieved the highest bliss.

Whatever beings there are:

Timid, strong, and all other,

Tiny or huge,

Long, average, or short,

Seen or unseen,

Living near or far,

Born or coming to birth,

May all these beings have

Happy and healthy minds.

Let no one deceive another,

Nor despise anyone anywhere.

Neither in anger nor ill-will

Should one wish another harm.

As a mother would risk

Her own life to protect

Her only child,

So should one cultivate

A boundless heart

Towards all living beings.

Let our love pervade the whole world,

Without any obstructions,

Above, below, and across.

Khuddaka-Patha 232-35, translated by Elmer Smith, 1915. As cited in Harvey B. Aronson, Love and Sympathy

in Theravada Buddhism (Delhi: Motilala Bararsidass), pp.49-50.