Celebrating the 2558th Anniversary of the Buddha’s Life
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Nepal to celebrate the 2558th Anniversary of the Buddha’s Life
Buddhistdoor InternationalSagar Mani Shiwakoti 2014-05-05
KATHMANDU – The 2558th anniversary of Gautama Buddha’s life, also known as Vesak or Buddha Purnima, is going to be celebrated in Nepal with a variety of traditional and modern festivities. Each year, the holy festival of the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha falls on the full moon day of Baishakh (first month of the Hindu lunar calendar). In 2014, Buddha Purnima is going to be celebrated on May 14 (Baishakh 31, according to the Hindu calendar).
According to Bhikshu Ashwini, a member of the 2558th Birthday Celebration Committee, His Excellency Thospal Nayak, the ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, will first pay homage to the remains of Buddha at the vault of Sri Lanka Ram Chaitanya. It will then be made open to the general public.
According to Ven. Ashwini, the sacred remains will be displayed all around the Kathmandu Valley in a procession, especially in the Swayambhunath area, where they will be exhibited and accompanied by chanting and music. The temple of Ananda Kuti Vihar has traditionally carried the relic of Buddha around the city once every four years. To consolidate these customs, the Birthday Celebration Committee of Gautama Buddha was formed with members from different Buddhist organizations and holds an assembly at the Ananda Kuti Vihar every year during Buddha Purnima.
Bhikshu Ashwini adds that another assembly is being organized in the presence of Mr. Sushil Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal. A blood donation program will be organized on the auspicious occasion. Devotees from different Buddhist communities (both lay and monastic) and monasteries will participate in the religious procession round the Valley, reciting from Buddhist scriptures. Since the committee is concerned about the propagation and extension of Buddhism, religious discourses and sermons on Buddhism will also be hosted.
Bhikshu Kaundinya, executive member of the Lumbini Development Trust, confirms that Lumbini will also host various local programs to celebrate Vesak. Apart from blood donation programs, different Buddhism-related celebrations are being organized nationwide. Vesak was observed last year with great pomp and respect, and the Nepalese government has also started to invest in organizing different programs to celebrate this occasion. According to Venerable Kaundinya, the government should offer more attention to the development of Buddhism studies and facilitate the protection and conservation of Buddhist heritage sites.
On May 22, 1951 for the first time in Nepalese history, a public holiday was inaugurated to commemorate Veshakh and on February 19, 1956 an announcement was made to ban killing and any other form of violence in Lumbini on the day of Vesak. The UN system also observes a public holiday on Vesak, revering the man who gave Buddhism to the world.
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Homage to the Lord Buddha
Om Muni Muni Maha Muni Sakyamuni Ye Svaha
Buddham Saranam Gacchami
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Anyone participating in the 3 Steps 1 Bow 三æ¥ä¸€æ‹œ for this year? Happy Vesak Day to fellow Buddhists. ^.^ å�—æ— æœ¬å¸ˆé‡Šè¿¦ç‰Ÿå°¼ä½›
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�塞节快了~~
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Happy Vesak Day !
Om Mani Padme Hum
May all be well and happy
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Happy Vesak Day!
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Happy Vesak Day.
I am not a buddhist but this morning I went to the temple to pay respect to Buddha. Whenever I face Buddha, I am lost, don 't know what to say or act. I just lowered my head 3 times to show my respect.
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Happy Vesak Day! May we all become Buddhas soon.
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Happy Vesak Day
