[ULUBUDA] MAY 20TH-*Happy Wesak* 2008

[Ruoxing Wu]

~★ï³*Happy Wesak 2008*³ï★~


 
 
This year’s wesak falls on the 20th May
 
 
 
 Wesak commemorates the anniversary of the Buddha’s birth, parinirvana (death and final nirvana) and his enlightenment. The Vesak celebration has become a global phenomenon and crosses boundaries of nationality, tradition and culture.
 
 
The Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama on a full moon day in the month of Wesak (month of May in present day calendar) in 623 BC. Siddharta began his search for enlightenment at age 29 and after six years realized the eternal truth, thus becoming the Buddha - which means the 'Awakened One'. This auspicious event took place at dawn in the month of Wesak in 588 BC, which was also a full moon day. The Buddha taught the truth for 45 years until his final passing away into Nirvana on a full moon day in 543 BC. Thus, all the three major events in the Buddha's life happened on a full moon day in the month of Wesak. As such, buddhists of both the Theravada and Mahayana tradition throughout the world celebrate this thrice-blessed day.
 
 
More information:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/wesak.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesak
 
 
*Traditionally pious Buddhists take the 8 precepts during this day. These 8 precepts are foundat accestoinsight: 
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sila/atthasila.html
 
This is really a period for us to reflect internally on our own path and to appreciate the beauty of the Buddha’s teachings with an open heart:
 
 
JoyLive in joy,In love,Even among those who hate.Live in joy, In health, Even among the afflicted.Live in joy, In peace,Even among the troubled.Live in joy, Without possessions.Like the shining ones.The winner sows hatred Because the loser suffers.Let go of winning and losing And find joy.There is no fire like passion,No crime like hatred, No sorrow like separation,No sickness like hunger,And no joy like the joy of freedom.Health, contentment and trustAre your greatest possessions,And freedom your greatest joy.Look within.Be still.Free from fear and attachment,
Know the sweet joy of the way.How joyful to look upon the awakenedAnd to keep company with the wise.How long the road to the man Who travels the road with the fool.But whoever follows those who follow the wayDiscovers his family, and is filled with joy.Follow then the shining ones,The wise, the awakened, the loving,For they know how to work and forbear.Follow themAs the moon follows the path of the stars.
 
Dhammapada
 
 
I wish you all the warmest metta (loving-kindness), may you all be happy :) 
 
Ruo
ULUBUDA
_________________________________________________________________

Discover and Win with Live Search

http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/msnnkmgl0010000007ukm/direct/01/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://server14.01domain.net/pipermail/members_ulubuda.org.uk/attachments/20080511/807958cd/attachment.html