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Vesak Day Celebration
THE RESIDENT MONK and the Management Committee of Vipassana Meditation Centre (Singapore) cordially invite you and your family to participate in this auspicious and important celebration in the Buddhist Calendar.
VESAK DAY is of special holy significance. The full moon day, which falls in the month of May, is the day to commemorate three great events in the life of the Buddha.
It was on this day more than 25 centuries ago that the Buddha was born in Lumbini Park. It was also on this day that He gained Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Buddha-gaya. For the next forty-five years, He preached the Dhamma and showed all beings the way of the Middle Path. People from all walks of life came from far and near to hear and follow His great teachings. The Buddha passed away on Vesak Day under the two Sal trees at Kusinàra, in India at the age of eighty.
This day is a time for Buddhists around the world to reflect on the Buddha's compassionate gift to humanity.
Let us be mindful in accordance to the teachings of the Lord Buddha on this thrice-sacred day and spend this Vesak heedfully by practising Vipassana Meditation.
Happy Vesak Day !
The Management Committee
Vipassana Meditation Centre (Singapore)
Vesak Day Programme
Significance of Vesak Day
VESAK is auspicious because on this day, the Bodhisatta was born. It was on this day that the Bodhisatta was enlightened as the Buddha. It was on this day that he passed into parinibbàna (the passing of conditioned existence). That is why the full moon of Vesak is most revered among Buddhists the world over.
THE BIRTH OF THE BUDDHA
Lord Buddha was born in the year 68 of the Mahà Era, on the full moon day of Vesak, Friday, at Lumbini Part half-way between his father, King Suddhodana's country, Kapilavatthue, and mother, Queen Maya's country, Devadaha. Holding the branch of a sal tree with her right hand, the Queen gave birth in a standing position.
As soon as He was born, the Lord Buddha-to-be, took seven steps to the north and spoke profound words which no one dared to utter.
(a) Aggohsamasami = I am the foremost in the Universe.
(b) Jetthohamasami = I am the greatest in the Universe.
(c) Setthohamasami = I am the most praiseworthy.
(d) Ayamantimàjati = This is my last existence.
(e) Nathidanipunathbhavoti = I will have no more rebirths.
THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE BUDDHA
IN THE YEAR 103 of the Mahà Era, on the full moon day of Vesak, Wednesday, Lord Buddha attained Supreme Enlightenment. In the first watch of the night, he gained the higher psychic power and could remember his past existences (Pubbenivàsa ¤àõa). In the middle watch of the night, he gained the power of super
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