Vesak 2020

Vesak is when many Buddhists observe the birth, attainment of Buddhahood, and the death of the Buddha.  It is usually observed on the full moon day of May, although the actual observances can take place over several days.  To us, this is one of the most important religious days of the year, if not the most important one.

When I was growing up, we attended religious services at temples, at Vesak, and observed religious retreats, we illuminated our homes with colorful paper lanterns, candles, and clay oil lamps, others built very elaborate lanterns with "baby" lanterns extending from the main lantern and tall structures known as pandals which depicted the life story of the Buddha or other Buddhist stories, that were illuminated at night.  Going to see these lanterns and structures were a big part of the celebrations, and people used to call it "going to see Vesak".

It was a very sacred day, given to contemplation and religious observances, and it was a very joyous day, as well, that celebrated the founding of this way of life that we call Buddhism.  It was a day for accruing merit by doing meritorious deeds, with emphasis on giving to others, and people used to set up stalls where free food and beverages were served to anyone who stopped by.  I can remember the times I would go to see the lanterns and the pandals with my family and being surrounded by people who were pressing parcels of food and cups of tea or fruit juice into our hands and the friendly rivalry between the people sponsoring the stalls, asking people to come to their stall as they had better food and drinks! 

Over here, we have observed Vesak on a much smaller scale, attending religious services at the temples, if possible, serving meals to those who do attend the temple services, etc. 

This year, Vesak took place on Thursday, as that was when the full moon occurred.  The temple held online services as part of the nightly services they do online.  This weekend, they will also make it possible to participate in the religious retreats, online.   I am considering joining the online retreat.  Normally, we observe five precepts that guide our daily lives (to abstain from killing, to abstain from stealing, to abstain from sexual misconduct, to abstain from harmful speech, and to abstain from intoxicants, including alcohol); during the retreat, we undertake to observe eight precepts, which includes abstaining from untimely eating, from sitting on high and luxurious seats, and from engaging in singing, dancing, playing music, or wearing make up, perfume, or other adornments.

I have participated in these eight-precept retreats on previous occasions, but, this is the first time it is being done online, as far as I know!  On previous occasions, the retreat observant will go to the temple, undertake to observe the eight precepts, and spend the day at the temple meditating, listening to sermons, and engaging in other religious activities.  The period of duration have varied from 24 hours to 12 hours or even 8 hours (when my daughter was little).  I am not sure quite what the online program will include, but, that doesn't matter.  What matters is that this opportunity will be made available. 

Not everyone has access to a temple, even in the best of times.  I have lived in places where there weren't any temples.  That didn't matter to me; being unable to attend a temple never prevented me from observing my religion.  As far as I am concerned, the world is my temple!  And now, I don't even have to go anywhere!  The temple is being brought to me!  How wonderful!  What a blessing!  If nothing else, this will be a new experience! 

It does require me to be awake by 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, but, I shall make the effort.  There is sitting meditation, breathing meditation, and walking meditation.  I wonder if there can be a sleeping meditation, too?  Maybe I can practice that for a couple of hours after I take the eight precepts? LOL. 

I am grateful for:
- The online temple services
- Happy memories from my childhood
- The opportunity to participate in the retreat from home
- Learning to embrace change
- Learning to dance in the rain!*

*One year, my daughter gave me a journal which had a saying on the cover that life was not about waiting for the rain to stop, it was about dancing in the rain! 

Have you attended any religious retreats?  Have you ever attended an online retreat?