Visak Bochea Day
Vesak is one of the most important
festivals in Buddhism. It can be considered as a crucial event to commemorate
our most respected Buddha. This ceremony is always help on the full moon which
is the 25 Kert of Pisak month. All Buddhists and monk celebrate this event with
deep faith and it is the priceless merit to do.
The word "Visak Bochea"
comes from the word "Visak Bon Mi Bochea" which means the sacrifice
on the full moon day of Pisak which is the 6th month, counting from the month
of Meksir, Bos Meak, Phalkun, Chet Pisak and so on.
Why celebrating Vesak Bochea?
To celebrate the celebration of Vesak
Day, because it is a day to remind of the three great events that occur in relation
to the life of the Buddha. This means that on Visak Day, Buddhists around the
world remember the Birth, Enlightenment and Death days of the Bodhisattva.
The celebration of Visak Bochea on the 15th Kert of the month of Pisak is based on to Buddhist scholars writing in the Buddhist book called Kompi Pakthom Sompothitha which is the most incredibly blessing day when the Buddha was born, enlightened and entered Nibana.
1.The birth of Siddhath Gautamath
Buddha
When Sirim Mahamayadevi, the wife of King
Kompeng Ptaikrom Sothot of Kabil Phos capital, was about to give birth to a
baby, she asked her husband to return back to her capital, Tevatakhak, to give
birth to her child. when approaching the border called Lumpini One Park between
the kingdom of Kabil Phos and Tevaktakhak kingdom she then went to have a rest under
a type of tree called “ Salak Prek”. She then gave birth to her child under
that tree which was on Friday 15 Kert of Pisak month, the year of dog 80 BC. Only
5 days after birth, the child was named as Siddhath means a person who helps
all types of beings.
2. The day Buddha enlightened
After being a monk for six years, at
the age of 35, he practiced Dharma and performed Tukiriya, which means that he
did no leave meditation, he did not eat in order to master the top level of
spirituality and enlightenment. Ultimately, he achieved the enlightenment on
Wednesday, the 15th Kert of Pisk month and the year of a rooster.
3. Buddha Enter Nibana
After attaining enlightenment and
spreading the Dharma for 45 years until he reached the age of 80, he finally
entered Nirvana on Tuesaday 15 Kert (full moon day), month of Pisak, year of a
cobra at dawn in the age of 80 years old. This is incredibly magical since
Buddha was born, enlightened and passed away on the same date which is on 15
Kert of Pisak month.
Visak Bochea festival is considered to be a big festival,
with the masses people of all ages, the olders, boys and girls gathered
together, bringing with them offerings, candles, incense, flowers and small and
large lanterns lit in all pagodas. Generally speaking, the Vesak festival is celebrated
to commemorate the three most important days, as mentioned above.
The Importance of Visak Bochea
1. Vesak Day is considered as the
birthday of Buddhism
2. Vesak Day is the day on which the
United Nations officially recognized Buddhism on December 15, 1999, stating that
Vesak is an international festival that can be celebrated in the offices of the
United Nations Nationwide and is also an international festival.
The International Session of the
Buddhist Council on "UN-Visakha Day" or "United Nations Vesak
Festival" first began in 2004 in Thailand.
Since then, this international conference has been held every year, but
mostly before the 15th Kert in the month of Pisak, which is the day of Vesak
Bochea festival. Thailand has hosted the meeting several times. Vietnam has already volunteered to host two
UN-Visakha-Day conferences in 2013 and 2008.
3. Vesak Bochea is considered as World
Peace Day because the Lord Buddha taught humanity to seek security and peace
both inside and outside.
4. Vesak Day is considered as a day to
commemorate the merits of the great help the wisdom of the Buddha, who is the
Lord of the world.
5. Vesak is considered the day of the
Buddha because it is related to the life of the Buddha.
