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Vesak Day, also known as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Day, is a significant festival for Buddhists in Singapore and around the world. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and death (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism is one of the major religions in Singapore, Vesak Day is marked as a public holiday.
The observance of Vesak Day has ancient roots. The decision to agree on a day to celebrate the Buddha's life was formalized in 1950 at the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka. In Singapore, it has been a public holiday since 1955.
Buddhist temples across Singapore hold various traditional ceremonies on Vesak Day:
Rituals: Devotees participate in rituals like bathing a statue of the infant Siddhartha Gautama as a reminder to purify their minds from greed, hatred, and ignorance.
Offerings: Flowers, candles, and incense are offered at temples symbolizing the impermanence of life.
Chanting and Prayers: Monks lead devotees in sutra recitation, meditation sessions, and prayers for peace and harmony.
Good Deeds: Acts of generosity such as giving alms to the poor, releasing caged animals to symbolize liberation from suffering (though this practice is sometimes discouraged due to ecological reasons), and sharing vegetarian meals are common.
On Vesak Day:
Temple Visits: Many Buddhists visit temples for prayers and worship.
Charitable Activities: Engaging in charity work and helping those in need are emphasized.
Processions: Some temples organize processions where devotees can participate.
Meditation: Individuals may also spend time meditating on the teachings of Buddha.
Observing Precepts: Some laypeople observe additional precepts (moral rules) for self-discipline.
Vesak Day celebrations emphasize compassion, peace, and reflection on one's actions. While deeply religious at its core, it also offers an opportunity for non-Buddhists to appreciate Buddhist culture and teachings within Singapore's multicultural society.
