Significance of Vesak

Vesak is the most important day of the year for Buddhists. The significance of Vesak lies with the Buddha and his universal peace message to mankind.

As we recall the Buddha and his Enlightenment, we are immediately reminded of the unique and most profound knowledge and insight which arose in him on the night of his Enlightenment. This coincided with three important events which took place, corresponding to the three watches or periods of the night.

During the first watch of the night, when his mind was calm, clear and purified, light awakened him, knowledge and insight also arose in him. He saw his previous lives, at first one, then two, three up to five, then multiples of them .. . ten, twenty, thirty to fifty. Then 100, 1000 and so on.... As he went on with his practice, during the second watch of the night, he saw how humans die and are reborn, depending on their Karma, how they disappear and reappear from one form to another, from one place of existence to another. Then during the final watch of the night, he saw the arising and cessation of all phenomena, mental and physical. He saw how things arose dependent on causes and conditions. This led him to perceive the arising and cessation of suffering and all forms of bad things paving the way for the eradication of all taints of cravings. With the complete cessation of craving, his mind was completely liberated. He attained Enlightenment.

This wisdom and light that flashed and radiated under the historic Bodhi Tree at Buddha Gaya in the State of Bihar in Northern India, more than 2500 years ago, is of great significance to human destiny.

It illuminated the way by which mankind could cross, from a world of superstition, or hatred and fear, to a new world of light, of true love and happiness.

Vesak is also the day on which Prince Siddhartha was born , he attained Enlightenment and the day he passed away. It is also referred to as Parinibbana. It is of great significance to Buddhists.

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