A lamp lit in the darkness prevents any accidents such as falling into pits or fracture of bones. Hence light in darkness shows the way for securing overall wellbeing. Vesak is celebrated on the full moon in May enabling the world to light the flame of wisdom and prevent falling into the abyss of ignorance.
Signifying the birth, enlightenment and death – (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha, the commemoration of Vesak was facilitated globally at the conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in 1950. This formalised across multiple Buddhist countries the national and international level celebration of the festival, after the Maharaja of Nepal announced the full-moon day of Vesak as a Public Holiday in Nepal. Thus encouraged, the World Fellowship of Buddhists requested all the heads of Governments of countries in which there are populations of Buddhists, to declare the full-moon day in the month of May a Public Holiday in honour of the Buddha.
Wisdom
Since what the Buddha stood for is a restoration of humanity, equality, justice and peace, the Vesak holiday transcends all boundaries and commemorates wisdom.
In recognising the universality of the message of the Buddha, the UN General Assembly in 1999 through its resolution 54/115, recognised internationally the Day of Vesak. From the year 2000, Vesak day is formally commemorated annually at the UN Headquarters.
In Sri Lanka, the festival represents at a visual glance a festival of light as households hang lanterns made of colourful paper, often depicting images from the life of the Buddha. It is also an occasion to celebrate the abundance of charity and even after the worst of economic situations, Sri Lanka still showcases its magnanimity by having countless dansal (free feeding) across the country.
The festival of Vesak also provides for thousands of families across the country a means of earning by selling creatively designed Vesak lanterns, which despite the economic crisis, is seen as flourishing. Lantern makers, mostly as family businesses attempt to create economically feasible unique creations that out-beat competition. Hope seems to be thriving this Vesak in Sri Lanka; hope for a better future for all human beings.
According to Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickramanayaka, this year, Vesak marks a lighting of the way for a new resurgence in strengthening of the mind for seeking the wellbeing of all in facing the country’s socio-economic challenges.
“Sri Lanka played a significant role in 1950 by hosting the conference in Sri Lanka that led to Vesak being commemorated officially in Buddhist countries. Vesak is a global reminder to dispense with hate, ignorance and violence. This festival is also a glorification of wisdom and mindfullness.
For all Sri Lankans, Vesak should bring personal meaning to take individual responsibility for making positive changes in our lives and country. To blame another is easy. To make a change ourselves is difficult. Buddhism is about how each individual could make a difference in the human condition,” he said.
For 12-year-old Natasha busy helping her father make and sell Vesak lanterns, this time of the year is a phase she enjoys most. She wants to be a lawyer, but for now, she seems a perfect artiste, manager and accountant, all rolled into one.
“I have lost count of the lanterns I make every year. Ever since I was in Grade 4, I have been helping my parents to make lanterns. I really enjoy it,” she says as she admires her handiwork, but also keeps an eye out for any help her parents need in attending to the customers.
“I am around the 10th in my class and both me and my sister want to be lawyers,” she said, as she multitasks by doing some fast calculations for her aunt and parents who are busy at their Nugegoda junction sales spot on the pavement in front of the public market.
“We live in Nugegoda. We have been at this pavement location for almost 15 years. At every religious festival, we sell different things as appropriate. Among these, Vesak brings us the highest sales, but we have had to hike prices of lanterns last year and this year. The cost of paper and transport have gone up drastically, but we have kept the average price of a big lantern at about Rs. 300,” says Natasha’s father, Nihal Kumara.
Busy serving the many customers who throng on the side walk, his wife Thilini point out that the Vesak time provides jobs for many families who carry out small businesses. Those who grow the bamboo used to make the atapattama vesak lanterns, those who cut these wood and transport them to towns, people who sell the paper which is used to craft the lanterns, those who make the candles to fix onto the lanterns and those who sell the electric lights and the electric light fitted decorations – all these persons make some income in every Vesak season,” she says.
Head of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC), Chandra Nimal Wakishta believes that this Vesak season could be the beginning for a mind-shift for the Sri Lankan populace.
Beautiful culture
“Correct seeing is part of Buddhism. This is the light we talk about. As we enjoy the beautiful culture of Vesak festivity that surrounds us this season, let us remember to see all the positive potential that Sri Lanka has – the bounty and capacity for renewable energy and develop means for the conservation and use of all the natural resources we have as a nation. All this we can carry out in our human lives, for our individual and national betterment, wisely, as part of the Buddhist training.”
He added, “I wish to say here that the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) is committed in Buddhist ethic to serve all Sri Lankans.