Buddhist festivals around the world

by Premasara EPASINGHE

Today, Buddhism is a world religion with about six billion followers. It is not only a religion, but also a great philosophy.

Not a single phase of Buddhist history has ever been lurid with the light of inquisitorial fires, or darkened with the smoke of heretic or heathen cities ablaze or red with blood of the guiltiness victims of religious hatred.

Buddhism wields one sword. It is the sword of wisdom - recognise only one enemy - ignorance. When we read Buddhist discourses, we are impressed by His sprit of reason. His ethical path has for its first step right views, a rational outlook.

There is a great diversity in the range of Buddhist ceremonies and festivals. They follow the lunar calendar. Buddhism has spread into many countries. They are inter-woven to their cultures.

The rituals, ceremonies, festivals differ from one country to another. Basically, Buddhist ceremonies can be divided into two main groups.

They are Theravada and Mahayana.

According to the Western calender, in Sri Lanka and Thailand, the New Year falls on April 13 or 14. In Burma or Myanmar it is on April 16.

It is the season for visiting relations, friends, give presents.These ceremonies have their traditions and customs.In Sri Lanka, the main Buddhist ceremonies are held on Vesak (May), Poson (June), Esala (July) and Vap (October). It begins with Duruthu (January) ends in Navam (February).

Ceremonies

In Sri Lanka important Buddhist religious festivals held between July-August are called Esala. It marks the deliverance of Buddha’s first sermon “Dhamma Chakkapavattana Sutta” turning of the wheel of law.

The Kandy Esala Perahera, a procession in which the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is carried.

The other important events are rain retreat (Vas) ceremony which is performed in June/July and October/November respectively.

In Thailand, the main Buddhist festival known as Loi Karatong is held on the Full Moon Poya Day in November. It is centred on temples. It is a festival of lights. The temples and the houses are decorated with palm leaves, banana stalks, coloured lanters, lamps, candles and flags.

Another important Buddhist event performed in Thailand is called the Magha Puja.

It signifies All Saints Day or “Dharma Day”, which commemorates an event three months prior to the Buddha’s passing away.

Tibetan festivals

Tibetan Buddhism is found today even in India, across Europe and U.S. The 14th Dalai Lama is the head of Buddhist activities in Tibet.

He resides with Tibetan Bhikkhus in Dharmasala Palace at the foothills of beautiful snowy Himalayas.

The Tibetan New Year, which falls in February is called Losar - which commemorate the Buddha’s early life upto the Enlightenment.

Tibetan bhikkhus perform the great prayer called Monlam Cheam. The fifteenth day is the Full Moon Day known as Chongo Chopa.

They celebrate the important events of the Buddha’s life. They have puppet shows too, on a Buddhist theme.

There are two chapters of bhikkhus - Upper Tantric School (Gyuto) and Lower Tantric School (Gyume). The two famous monastries are responsible for the Buddhist displays.

They are now located in India and the religious celebrations take place in Dharmasala.

Devils

On the 29th day of the month of the old year, ushering Lasar, New Year begins. There are family gatherings. Together, they partake special nine soup - called Gutuk.

The left overs are carried by men to a lonely spot in the night with torch lights, calling the Devils to “come out” - “come out”.

Following this a procession of monks carries “constructions” which they call special New year Zor Tormas - community bad karma of the previous year.

Later, they burn the constructions.

In the New Year religious ritual, you can see a lot of coloured prayer flags and Tibetan Instruments.

The 15th of the fourth month, the Full Moon Day, May, the Tibetans celebrates the Buddha’s birth, Enlightenment and Parinibbana.

This is known as the festival of Saga Dawa. Devout Buddhists, take vows to fast and be silent for seven days.

On the fifth month (June) on Full Moon Poya Day, they celebrate the Dzamling Chisang - fire offerings to the spirits. Favourite Tibetan vegetarian dishes are offered to the spirits. Offerings are made by laymen, and they abstain from meat for three days before hand.

Matrudevi

On October 22, Tibetan celebrate the Buddha’s descent to this world after preaching to “Matrudevi” - Buddha’s mother Mahamaya who resides in Thusita Heaven. It is known as Lhabap.

The Tibetans celebrate the anniversary of Tsohakhapa on November 25. He is the founders of Yellow Hat School of Tibetan Buddhism.

Then, they celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Rimpoche’s (Precious Guru) - Padma Sambhava - an Indian, prof who brought Buddhism to Tibet. His birthday was in July. As a mark of respect and pay gratitude, Tibetans celebrate his birthday.

In Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese languages Buddhas are called Shih-Chia-Fo (Chinese) Shakamuni (Japanese) Thich - Ca-Mau-Ni (Vietnamese) Sakaymuni (Sanskrit-India).

The Buddha Amitasha was known as O-Mi-To-Fo (Chinese), Amida (Japanese), A-Di-Da-Phat (Vietnamese).

Vairocana is the Sanskrit name for the Buddha. The other names in Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese were P’I-Lo Fo, Danchi, Ty-Lo-Gia-Na-Phat (Dai Nhat) respectively.

In the of Bodhisattavas, the four names used in Sanskrit - Avalokitesvara - Chinese Kuan-Yin, Kannon (Japanese) Quan.

The-am (Vietnamese) for Maitreya is the Sanskrit word used. In Chinese the term is Mi-Lei, Japanese Sei-Shi, Vietnamese Di-Lac-Bo Tat.

Japan received the gift of Buddhism via China. Therefore, the Buddhist festivals of these countries are very much similar.

Enlightenment

The Buddha’s Enlightenment and Parinibbana, on April 8, according to the Chinese calendar, is celebrated in Japan too. It is known as Hana Masturi.

According to Mahayana tradition, Samsara - (the relentless cycle of repeated birth and death is divided into various realms. The realm of “hungry ghost” is one of them.

Moggallana Thera, one of the chief disciples (The other was Sariputra) saved his mother from hell. It is stated that he offered alms to the Buddhas and bhikkhus.

By this virtue, Mahayanist believe that the Buddha pulled Moggalana Thera’s mother from hell using a rope.

Pretha

Prof. Gunapala Malalasekera defines the word “Preta” as the ‘departed one.’ In Sri Lankan Buddhist funerals, bhikkhus bestow merit to on the dead.

In a religious ceremony conducted in front of the coffin, while pouring water on a bowl, before the body is cremated, buried or offered to a university medical faculty, bhikkhus chant pali stanzas According to the stanza, anyone who crosses over to the other world is known as Pretha”.

The Western Buddhist festivals are Buddhist Day (May), Dhamma Day (July) and Sangha Day (November). Most Buddhists in western countries and in America devote more time for Bhavana or meditation.