Visakha Puja

Visakha Puja

Vesak or Visakhapuja Celebration means the worship of the full moon day of the sixth lunar month. This is the day to commemorate the birth, the attainment of enlightenment, and the passing away of The Buddha - The Enlightened One. These three events occurred on the same day on the full moon of the sixth lunar month so it is regarded as the most important day for the Buddha and Buddhism. In observing this day, Buddhist will traditionally make merit, and will flock to the temples to listen to the Buddha's teachings by attending the reading of the Holy Scriptures ceremony and take part in the candle procession.

On this day, Buddhist pay gratitude to the Buddha, the one who has loving kindness and great compassion that he taught the world to know dissatisfaction and its causes so that we can refrain from acting in such a way as to create it. He also taught us how to identify the solution by following the path leading to the cessation of dissatisfaction. These teach us not to underestimate life and understand the uncertainties that exist within it.

Siddhattha Gotama was born into a royal family in Lumbini Park, now located in Nepal, in 563 BC. At the age of 29, he realized that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored and studied different religions and philosophies of his day, to find the key to human happiness. After six years of study and meditation he finally found 'the middle path' and was enlightened. After enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching the principles of Buddhism - called the Dhamma, or Truth - until his death at the age of eighty.

In Thailand, the Buddhist had always celebrated Vesak or the Visakhapuja day since Sukhothai era. Historically, Thai Buddhist had derived this ceremony from Ceylon but in Ayutthaya era, Thonburi era and early Rattanakosin era, it had disappeared and reappeared again in the reign of King Rama II and is still kept going until this day. King Rama II wanted his people to practice living a wholesome life and do good deeds which he thought an auspicious way to live.

The Buddhapapipa Temple, the Thai Temple, The Young Buddhist Group and The Lay Buddhist Association have great pleasure in announcing that the Celebration of Visakhapuja Day will be held at the Buddhapadipa Temple, 14 Calonne Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 5HJ. It celebrates the full moon day of May and commemorates the birth, the attainment of enlightenment, and the passing away of The Buddha-The Enlightened One".

Reference;
Buddhist Dictionary, P. Payutto
Dhammapada (Pali canon)
Thailand in Brief, Foreign News Division, Public Relations Department, Office of The Prime Minister



PROGRAMME

09.30	Gathering in the basement of the Uposatha Hall
10.00	The lighting of candles and incense
10.15	Chanting and circumambulation of the Uposatha Hall, Paying homage to Triple Gem and taking the Five Precepts followed by a talk in Thai & English
10.45	Chanting of the Jayamangala Gatha by the Venerable Monks followed by the offering of Takbat by devotees
11.00	Lunch for the venerable Monks
12.00	Lunch for the Lay people
1.30	A Sutta reading by a member of the Lay Buddhist Association
1.45	A talk by our Guest Speaker
2.45	Meditation
3.15	Chanting followed by suffusing loving kindness
3.30	Tea, coffee and soft drinks, Close

Trays of non-perishable food for alms giving or Takbat can be purchased in the basement of the Uposatha hall. All proceeds go to the Temple Fund. All are cordially welcome. Please bring your friends along. If you are unable to attend it but wishing to make a donation, please make a cheque payable to THE BUDDHAPADIPA TEMPLE.
The Buddhapadipa Temple
The Young Buddhist Group
The Lay Buddhist Association
Tel: 020-8946-1357 Fax: 020-8944-5788

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