My Longkang

Wesak day comes once a year and this year it is on the 1st of May. In most Buddhist temples all over the world, believers will gather to remember Prince Siddhatha. About 2,550 years ago, Prince Siddhatha was born in Lumbini, India during a full moon in the month of Wesak (Vesakha).

As a prince He lead a comfortable existence for 29 years before he began to tire of it and ventured out in search of The Truth. He renounced his position and worldly possessions and His search lasted six very long years during which He followed various practices and meditation.

He attained enlightenment and since been called ‘Buddha’ which means ‘The Enlightened One’ while deep in meditation under a Bodhi tree at Gaya on a full moon Wesak night.

He was a forward thinking Man and spent 45 years teaching and spreading the Dhamma. He died at the age of 80, also during the full moon in the month of Wesak, and attained ‘Nirvana’ or liberation without further rebirth.

So, when the believers celebrate Wesak Day, they are commemorating the Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away.