Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day

The Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation and Lao Front for National Development jointly hosted a four-day event to mark Vesak Day – the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha - in Vientiane last week.
Various rituals and activities took place in observance of the day, which falls on the full moon of the sixth month in the Buddhist lunar calendar, which may be late April, May, or early June, and this year occurred on Saturday.

Events in Vientiane began on Thursday and ended on Sunday morning, mainly taking place at Vat That Luang Neua, in front of the National Dhamma Assembly Hall, and the That Luang stupa.
Activities included meetings and lectures to review the history of Vesak Day and the life of Buddha, along with overnight chanting and meditating, almsgiving, and donations.
In the evening, performances by representatives of Asean member countries highlighted the importance of Vesak Day and Buddhism.
The activities were attended by hundreds of monks and thousands of officials and devotees.
The main events were the opening ceremony on Thursday and a mass almsgiving session on Saturday morning which drew thousands of merit makers to give alms and other offerings to more than 500 monks at the That Luang esplanade.
The opening ceremony of the celebration took place at the National Convention Centre, chaired by the President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation and the head of Laos’ monk body, His Holiness Yathanyai Manha-ngon Damrongboun. Also taking a leading role was the President of the Lao Front for National Development, Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, who struck a gong to mark the start of proceedings.
The Mayor of Vientiane, ministers, ambassadors, officials, representatives of monks and novices from Vientiane, the provinces, and neighbouring countries, along with many local Buddhists, took part in the event.
Speaking on the occasion, His Holiness Yathanyai Manha-ngon Damrongboun said “International Vesak Day is a globally important and holy day for Buddhists around the world. It is recognised by the United Nations and celebrated in many parts of the world.”
“Vesak is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar and celebrates three important events - the birth, enlightenment and the passing of the Lord Buddha.”
“Together with other countries, we celebrate this day in Laos to commemorate these auspicious events and recall the life of Buddha and the spread of Buddhism.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr Xaysomphone said that on behalf of the Lao government and other parties involved he was very pleased to be jointly organising the event and leading officials in taking part in the various activities.
“It’s very important and meaningful to celebrate Vesak Day in Laos and this year’s celebrations are the biggest ever,” he added.
“Buddhism is the main religion in Laos and has had links to Lao culture and traditions since ancient times. Monks and novices have contributed a lot to the country’s development, particular in the field of human resources and maintaining the fine traditions of Buddhism by imparting the religion’s basic principles and teaching moral values.” 
Vesak Day is also known in Laos as Visakha Bouxa Day. Vesak Day was recognised by the United Nations as an official occasion on December 15, 1999.  The day is now celebrated in Buddhist countries and by UN offices.

By Visith Teppalath
(Latest Update May 21, 2019)