Happy Vesak (Buddha Day), the day Buddhists around the world celebrate the birth, Enlightenment, and worldly departure of the Buddha. Vesak is held on the 17th day of May for the Gregorian calendar for 2011, and various days within other lunar calendars (yeah, we’re celebrating early). As with any holiday, nuance exists depending on the culture in which the Buddha is celebrated, however there are some common themes.

The monastery:

Holidays are a happy time (as if Buddhists weren’t happy enough!), so Vesak–the most important event on the calendar–is especially jovial. Most Buddhists celebrate with a visit to the local monastery. Gathered as the Sangha (Buddhist community of lay/monks), many events take place such as scripture readings or “Dhamma talks,” walks around a statue of the Buddha with candles in hand, and meditation. Devotees also bring food, flowers, and candles to deck out the monastery or temple. 

In the House:

Celebration also takes part away from the busy monastery. Buddhist homes and villages are also decorated with various symbols to commemorate the Awakened One who showed the Middle Path to the world. Such items and practices include flying the Buddhist flag, candles, paper lanterns, statues of the Buddha in various forms, cleaning house, and prayers. I try to include my daughters in as much of what I do each month as possible, so here I am with my youngest daughter preparing my “altar shelf” for Vesak. 

The fact that Vesak falls on May 15th is kind of strange for me. About four years ago, for no apparent reason, I set up a holiday for myself. I established no ritual, no tradition, no event…just a day to remember. So happens, that day is May 15th, the most important day on the calendar for Buddhists.

Some might call this an auspicious sign. Maybe it’s just coincidence. I’d be lying if I said Buddhism hasn’t had a profound effect on me this month. I’ve greatly enjoyed all the months so far, however Buddhism…

As I look at the decorated “alter shelf” I can’t help but wonder if ol’ Sid would be embarrassed to see all of this pomp and fanfare. He is quoted to say, in effect, that he simply pointed to the way and not to celebrate him personally. But we just can’t help ourselves. Every spiritual leader has a holiday. Our secular heroes have them as well. Ironic how we place so much focus on the bridge to paradise/heaven/enlightenment and forget the destination it reaches for. We forget their pleas for us to walk the path for ourselves–to follow their example–instead of stopping to idolize them.

Is this something you struggle with in your spiritual path? Do you often find yourself distracted by the teacher only to ignore the teaching/destination?

There is a Zen koan that states: “If you meet the Buddha along the road, kill him.”

So here’s a toast in honor of the Buddha. We appreciate the map you gave us to enlightenment, but now we must be on our way.

Peace.