Vesak Day Singapore

May 30, 2007

If you look at our blog on May 2nd, you will see that we were in Malaysia for their Vesak Day (Malaysia spells Wesak) but didn't get to see as much as we did here in this temple in Singapore.
Today in Singapore is a holiday called Vesak Day. Steven was off work so we went to Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery and spent the day learning about Buddhism, watching Buddhist devotees and Monks. It's a highly important occasion in the Buddhist calendar, Vesak Day in Singapore commemorates Lord Buddha's entry into Nirvana after attaining spiritual enlightenment.

Wesak Day in Penang, Malaysia

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

May 1 Wesak Day Celebrations in Penang.
Though Wasak Day is held in most parts of Malaysia. The day is considered to be very important for Buddhists around the world. Wesak Day is celebrated by thousands of Buddhists across Malaysia. On this day, thousands of Buddhists throng to the temples in the country. It is a day when Buddhists observe the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha Siddharta Gautama Buddha. The day he achieved enlightenment and also the day of his death some 3,000 years ago. Religious offerings are carried out. Rituals such as the "Bathing of the Buddha", chanting of holy scriptures, lighting of joss sticks and ordination of monks usually take place in the Buddhist temples during the Wesak Day Celebrations.