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| 1.1 Historical Background :: |
Visakha
Puja Day marks the three important incidents in the life
of Lord Buddha on the same day - the full moon of the sixth
lunar month. The three significant separate event are : |
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1.
The Buddha's Birth - the Buddha was born into a royal
warrior clan in the Lumbini Garden (in an area of Northern India
known today as Nepal) In the morning of the Vesak full moon
day, 80 years before the Buddhist Era. He was named Siddhattha
five days after his birth. |
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| 2.
"The Enlightenment of Buddha - While sitting under
the Bodhi tree, he found his answer and attained the enlightenment
at the age of 35 years at Uruvelasenanigama subdistrict, Magadha
state, (nowadays, located in the area of Buddha Kaya, Bihar
State, India), on Wednesday, the Vesak full moon day, the zodiac
of the cock, forty five years before the Buddhist Era. |
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| 3.
The Nibbana - The Buddha passed away on Tuesday, the
Vesak full moon day in the zodiac year of the small snake under the
two Sal trees in the Sala Grove of the Mallas in Kusinara, the capital
of the Malla state, (nowadays located in Kusinagara of Uttrarapradesa,
India) at the age of eighty years (around 2547 years ago). |
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| Visakha
Puja (Vesak) means the worship of the Buddha on the full moon
day of the sixth lunar month. It usually falls in May. In the
case of a year with an extra eighth lunar month--Adhikamasa
(there are 13 full moons in that year)-- the Visakha Puja Day
falls on the full moon day of the seventh lunar month. |
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| 1.2 Significance :: |
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Visakha Puja Day is recognized as most
important memorial day in Buddhism for the Lord Buddha who
wandered from place to place teaching his discoveries to
people who are accessible to the instruction, helping large a
number of people achieving various levels of spiritual attainment.
He sent his followers to spread Buddhism in capitals, cities
and upcountry, until Buddhism was firmly established and
widely spread. Visakha Puja day is also recognized by the
UNESCO in 1999 as "World Heritage Day". Thailand where is
the permanent location of the World Fellowship of Buddhists,
is chosen to host celebrating event for the day.
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| 1.3 An International Day of the United Nations
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December 13, 1999, the United Nations as the World Organization
performing various activities accepted by the world wide population
has unanimously resolved to declare the Visakha Puja Day (Vesak
Day) as an International Day on December 15, 1999. This brings
a lot of joy to the worldwide Buddhists. |
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| 1.4 Custom of Visakha Puja Day Rite ::
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year when this important day comes around again, all Buddhists
throughout the world gather together to perform the worship
to recollect the wisdom, purity and compassion of the Buddha.
Activities generally to be observed on the Visakha Puja Day
are : |
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'TUM
BOON' *;Going to
temples for special observances, making merit, listening to
Dharma preaching, giving some donations and join in the other
Buddhist activities. |
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| 'RUB
SIL' *;Keeping the Five Precepts,
including abstinence from alcoholic drinks and all kinds of
immoral acts. |
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'TUK
BARD' *;Offering food to the monks
and novices (in the alm bowl). |
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| Practice
of renuciation: Observe the Eight Precepts, practice of meditation
and mental displine, stay in the temple, wearing white robes,
for a number of days. |
| 'VIEN
TIEN' *;Attending the Candle Light Procession
around the Uposatha Hall, in the evening of the Vesak full moon
day. |
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