Daily Lessons from Life 17 May 2011 - Significance of Vesak Day celebration

"Significance of Vesak Day celebration - CNA 17 May 2011

SINGAPORE : Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day on May 17.

It's a festival that commemorates the birth and enlightenment of Buddha and his entry into Nirvana.

And the Bodhi tree, because of its close association with Buddha's enlightenment holds great significance for Buddhists around the world.

Heart-shaped leaves with a long extended tip - the ficous religiosa or better known as the Bodhi Tree is of special significance to Buddhists.

According to Buddhist text, the Bodhi tree shaded Buddha while he mediated for 49 days under the tree trying to attain enlightenment.

It takes between 100 and 300 years for Bodhi trees to mature and they can grow up to a height of 30 metres.

There are only slightly more than 10 Bodhi trees scattered across the island - Sentosa Island, Kusu Island, Duxton just to name a few. There's also one located in the heart of the city, at the Singapore Management University."

First this article is titled: the significance of Vesak Day celebration and it did nothing but just said it was to celebrate Buddha's enlightenment. And, yes, the Bodhi tree.

Perhaps I was expecting to learn about the significance of entering into Buddhahood then just the celebration of achieving the same.

Anyway, the lessons for me are:

1. the key significance is WHY does Buddha want to be enlightened? what does it take to become enlightened? what can achieving Buddhahood help others? Perhaps I am too much of an idealist. Everyone talked about wanting to be a Buddhist and do good. Not many have succeeded! A case in point observed by my mother of an old lady who claimed to be a Buddhist buying some rice to worship Buddha. She was scolding our helpers who forgetfully put the sag of rice on the flood. She was it was disrespectful, therefore cannot be presented to Buddha. She asked the helper to change the next sag. Unfortunately, out of habitual behaviours, he put it on the floor again! That invited another vigorous admonition by her!

At this point, mum gently reminded here: Aunty, you are a Buddhist and Buddha will not be comfortable receiving this if he knows you had scolded this young man with venom!;

2. I don't know enough about any religions to comment on their merits, which are many I am sure. For me, the important thing is: be good and have no intention to hurt anyone. If I am a Buddhist, it means: be good and have no intention to hurt anyone AND help others if you can! If I am a Muslim, it means the SAME. And if I am a Christian, it means the SAME also! That is the starting point. The rest about eternal life or what you can and cannot eat are secondary. Really!;

3. I had a peaceful day today as I wanted it to be that way. It is Vesak Day. The day when someone said: I want to attain Buddhahood. Sounds good to be. If being that means: do good and have no intention to hurt anyone AND help others if you can. I am right on track! :-)

Peace to the world. Peace within ourselves. Be good. Help others if you can!