Vessantara Day At Buddhapadipa Temple

Written by Uppasakha Colin

Unusually for the Lay Buddhist Association, it was decided this year that we would have a stall for Vessantara Day to provide information to visitors about Buddhism and Buddhapadipa Temple and to distribute Dhamma-Dana in the spirit of the festival. Vessantara Day celebrates the penultimate rebirth of the Buddha as a Bodhisatta, who as Prince Vessantara perfects his parami of generosity by giving away all that is precious to him at the risk of upsetting those who love him most. Firstly he gives away an auspicious white-elephant to a neighbouring country in a time of adversity to the upset of his loyal subjects who demand his and his family’s expulsion from the kingdom. He then gives his children into servitude and gives away his wife. At the end of what is a trial of his generosity by Mara, Prince Vessantara wins through and all that is dear to him is returned to him.

The ‘good returns’ to the Lay Buddhist Association for our effort was made manifest on the day. The weather was sunny and this in itself put a smile on the faces of visitors and helpers alike. We had the help of a temporary monk, Phra Ben, who stayed by our stall. This offered people the opportunity to come and speak with him and to offer him their congratulations on the merit he has gained for himself and his family through his ordination. Once by the stall, people showed their own generosity by donating to the LBA and showing interest in the publications that we had to offer. Trevor (LBA committee member) had again purchased some children’s books about Buddhism to sell. These were very popular with parents, grandparents and uncles and aunts. We also made sure that we had as many Thai-language books as possible, because many of the people who attend this festival we knew would be from the community of Thai lay-people who support the temple all year round. It is good to be able to return kindness of giving by returning some consideration to those who give unstintingly. The abundance of feelings of good-will on this day was symbolised by a beautiful small bouquet of flowers that Mali (one of the temple helpers) had prepared for the Lay Buddhist Association. We spoke to many visitors – some from neighbouring European countries like France and others from as far away as western Australia. All were delighted with the day’s events and with the Thai food that local restaurant owners prepared al fresco in the car-park area. Many remarked on the general atmosphere of peace and goodwill that is so much a part of Buddhapadipa Temple. The Lay Buddhist Association collected over £150 for the temple, a sum of money that we sometimes do not achieve on the very busy festival days.