Monday, April 23, 2012
Wesak B.E 2601.2556.2012
Wesak Day, as it is known throughout the world :
Bangladesh: Bud-dho Purnyima (বুদ্ধ পূর্ণিমা) or Bud-dho Joyonti (বুদ্ধ জয়ন্তী)
Cambodia: Vesak Bochea
Chinese-speaking areas: Fó Dàn (佛誕) or Fāt Dàahn
Nepal: Buddha Purnima (बुद्ध पुर्णिमा) or Buddha Jayanti (बुद्ध जयंती)
Indonesia: Hari Waisak
Japan: Hanamatsuri (花祭)
Korea: Seokka Tanshin-il (석가 탄신일, 釋迦誕身日)
Laos: Vixakha Bouxa Malaysia: Hari Wesak
Myanmar (Burma): Kason Full Moon Day
Sri Lanka: Wesak
Thailand: Wisakha Bucha or Visakah Puja (วิสาขบูชา)
Tibet: Saga Dawa
Vietnam: Phật Đản
The Birth of the Buddha-to-be :
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| Sage Asita examining the Buddha-to-be |
"...The matted-haired seer
named Dark Splendor,
seeing the boy, like an ornament of gold
on the red woolen blanket,
a white sunshade held over his head,
received him, happy & pleased.
And on receiving the bull of the Sakyans,
longingly, the master of mantras & signs
exclaimed with a confident mind:
"This one is unsurpassed,
the highest of the biped race."
he, dejected, shed tears.
On seeing him weeping,
the Sakyans asked:
"But surely there will be
no danger for the prince?"
On seeing the Sakyans' concern
he replied, "I foresee for the prince
no harm.
Nor will there be any danger for him.
This one isn't lowly: be assured.
This prince will touch
the ultimate self-awakening.
He, seeing the utmost purity,
will set rolling the Wheel of Dhamma
through sympathy for the welfare of many.
His holy life will spread far & wide.
But as for me,
my life here has no long remainder;
my death will take place before then.
I won't get to hear
the Dhamma of this one with the peerless role.
That's why I'm stricken,
afflicted, & pained."~ Nalaka Sutta, Sutta Nipata III.11
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| NAMO BUDDHAYA |
2601:We commemorate the 2601th Year of Siddhartha Gautama’s Enlightenment at Bodhgaya, India. He became Enlightened when he was 35 years old and taught the Dhamma for the happiness and welfare of all beings 'that have little dust in their eyes' for 45 years. He attained Maha Parinibbana at the age of 80.
“Through many a birth I wandered in this endless cycle of birth and death,
seeking but not finding, the builder of the house.
Sorrowful is it to be born again and again.
O house builder!
You are seen.
You shall build no house again. All your fetters are broken.
Your ridgepole is shattered.
My mind has attained the unconditioned.
Achieved is the end of craving.” ~ (Dhammapada: 153-154)
2556; 2012: There is a 543 years difference between the Buddhist calendar and the Gregorian calendar. Every full moon day of Wesak on the Gregorian calendar marks the transition of the Buddhist year. The Buddhist year is reckonned beginning from the Buddha's Mahaparinibbana. "...In any doctrine & discipline where the noble eightfold path is not found, no contemplative of the first... second... third... fourth order [stream-winner, once-returner, non-returner, or arahant] is found. But in any doctrine & discipline where the noble eightfold path is found, contemplatives of the first... second... third... fourth order are found. The noble eightfold path is found in this doctrine & discipline, and right here there are contemplatives of the first... second... third... fourth order. Other teachings are empty of knowledgeable contemplatives. And if the monks dwell rightly, THIS WORLD WILL NOT BE EMPTY OF ARAHANTS...."
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"...Then the Blessed One addressed the monks, "Now, then, monks, I exhort you: All fabrications are subject to decay. Bring about completion by being heedful." Those were the Tathagata's last words...."
~ Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Digha Nikaya 16
Labels: Wesak Day
