The Buddhist Hour Radio Broadcast for Sunday 2 June 2002

Broadcast Script 227


Today's program is entitled:
Celebrating This Year’s Vesak (2545 B.E.)

Each year, on the full moon of May, Buddha Dhamma practitioners celebrate Vesak in many countries and in many ways.

The Worldwide Adherents of Buddhism by Six Continental Areas, mid 2001 recorded in the 2002 Britannica Book of the Year were:

Africa 139,000
Asia 356,533,000
Europe 1,570,000
Latin America 660,000
Northern America 2,777,000
Oceania 307,000

It is recorded in the 2002 Britannica Book of the Year that 5% of the total population of 6,128,512,000 or 361,985,000 persons practice Buddha Dhamma in the World.

Vesak is the celebration of the anniversaries of three major events that occurred on the same moon day. The name of the lunar month in question is called Vesak. The three events were the Bodhisattva’s birth, his awakening to a perfect teaching Buddha and his passing away, paranibbana.

It is important that persons understand the three different events.

Vesak is an opportunity for practitioners of Buddha Dhamma to celebrate these three events.

The Dhamma Times is a publication bringing Buddhist news and information through the internet highway. Its website is http://www.groups.yahoo.com.groups/DhammaTimes.

On Monday, 27 May 2002 we received several email articles about Vesak celebration in many countries. The article “Vesak Festival marks three days in one” was published by The Nation Multimedia, 26th May 2002 Bangkok, Thailand. It gives an explanation of the three events celebrated on Vesak:

The Buddha-to-be was born a prince on the full moon day of the month of Vesak (the fifth lunar month) 2500 years ago in Lumbini Park, India. He was named Siddhartha.

Prince Siddhattha grew up enjoying his life. He married Yasodhara at 16 and had a son called Rahula.

One day on leaving the Palace grounds he saw old age, sickness and death. As a result of seeing this suffering, Siddhartha renounced his Princely existence and left the Palace.

Siddartha followed many methods known at the time to find out the truth about suffering, he wished to find out the causes of old age, sickness and death.

He practiced ascetisism and fasting until one day he found ‘the middle way’ after hearing a veena player teaching his student … “do not tighten the string or it will break, but if you keep it too loose it will not play at all”.

He used meditation on keeping his mind focused on his breath and eventually awoke. This means that he found the truth about birth, sickness, old age and death. He new the cause of suffering. This occurred on the full moon day in the month of Vesak.

Then, on the request of the Brahama God, Siddartha now a Buddha, taught his Dhamma for the next 45 years.

The Buddha passed away when he was 80 years old, attaining Paranibbana. The day was the full moon day in the year 543 BC.

Another article published in the Dhamma Times is “Where do religions come in”, written by Bhikkhu Professor Dhammavihari, Lanka Daily News, May 25, 2002.

Bhikkhu Professor Dhammavihari wrote that the sacredness of the Poya Day does not lie with the fullness of the moon.

“Maya brought forth into the world young Gotama for the weal and welfare of many (Bahunnam Vata Atthaya Maya Janayi Gotamam).”

The day in which Siddhattha reached Amata Padam on the attainment of Samma Samdohi or Full Enlightenment is the day in which he became the Buddha and qualified for his mission.

Bhikkhu Professor Dhammavihari asserts that it is only the memories of these events that we cherish and from which we derive joy. “In fact, the Buddha Himself has elevated the glory of the places where these events took place by calling them places of immense religious joy or Samvejaniyatthana.”

Over time these events have moved increasingly into “the realms of myth and legend, leaving behind their real historical greatness”.

Bhikkhu Professor Dhammavihari reminds us that whatever glorification we seek to bring upon religion depends on what the religions have done to improve family life, interpersonal relationships, and inter-ethnic and inter-religious co-existence.

Followers of Buddha Dhamma are taught that it is the goodness of humans as humans, achieved through a clearly laid down process of self-correction, that elevates them to higher levels of divine living here and now.

Universal loving-kindness in a spirit amity is the starting point.

This is a two-way love of direct friendship, without a mediating third party. That directness is explicitly contained in the word metta. It is love that knows no bounds and is referred to through the Metta Sutta as asambadham averam asapattam.

Bhikkhu Professor Dhammavihari states that a frame of mind which has a deep seated sense of love for metta, of compassion for sympathy (karuna) and joyous appreciation of the success of others (mudita) will very naturally promote the growth of a social ethic which will successfully handle multiple areas of human relationships.

The Buddha taught that the way to achieve individual and social well being is through social restraint achieved via the moral rectitude of the pancasila (five precepts).

The Dhamma Times article “Look around you during Vesak” indicates that Vesak is a day when the Buddha’s Enlightenment is remembered and rejoiced over, not with merrymaking but with a renewed dedication to leading a pure life or serenity through meditation, finally earning equanimity and wisdom.

It is a day to observe additional precepts to the five contained in the pancasila and it is a day to remember with gratitude the wonderful life of a great teacher.

Last Sunday 26 May 2002, Members of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. joined in the world wide celebration of Vesak.

As part of this celebration, our Buddhist Hour Radio Team broadcast a special two hour program from 11:00am to 1:00pm. The topic of this broadcast was, ‘The Spreading of Buddha Dhamma on this Continent of Australia’. The usual traditional chanting of the Triple Gem refuge in Pali was included.

A key feature of the Buddha’s life was the fact that the most important events of this life occurred out-of-doors, in close commune with nature.

Often, we train our Members outdoors in ‘The way of the garden’.

In preparation for Vesak, our Members cleaned our Temple. They tidied up the temple’s garden and grounds.

On the eve of Vesak our Members made 26 boats from ginger plant leaves by closing each end of the leaf to form a boat shape and placing a tea candle inside each boat.

At Vesak, our President Mr. Julian Bamford, encouraged Members to float these boats with the candles alight, on both our Quan Yin Pond and our major Arakka Arannaka (the Deva of Solitary places) pond, in the surrounding gardens of our Centre.

While offering the candle light to Gautama Buddha, Members chanted the Vandana for Buddha ‘Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhasa’.

You can view photographs of our Members offering candles on our website at www.bsbonline.com.au.

One of the most gracious of these photographs is of Anita’s son Max and Member Pennie White paying respect together at our major pond.

We are a regional Centre of the peak world body for Buddha Dhamma. The World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB). They have always recognised the importance of Vesak since inception.

The World Fellowship of Buddhists headquarters is located in Bangkok, Thailand.

The official religion of Thailand is Buddhism. It is estimated that in 2001C.E the 93% of the population of 61,251,000 in Thailand are Buddha Dhamma practioners.

The World Fellowship of Buddhists at its 1st session in 1950C.E. passed Resolution 2/2GC 1/2493 (195) which required that:

“… while recording its respectful appreciation of the gracious act of His Highness the Maharaja of Nepal in making the full-moon day of Vesak a Public Holiday in Nepal, earnestly requests the Heads of Governments of all countries in which Buddhist communities are to be found, either large or small, to take steps to make the full-moon day of the month of May declared as Buddha Day and observed as a Public Holiday, in honour of the Lord Buddha, who is universally acclaimed one of the greatest benefactors of humanity.

This resolution recognises the day of the full-moon in the month of May each year as the most sacred to Buddhists, who commemorate, on that day, the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of enlightenment and his passing away.

It also considers that the international recognition at the United Nations Headquarters and other United Nations offices will constitute acknowledgment of the contribution that Buddhism has made for over two and a half millennia, and continues to make to spirituality and humanity.

During the 21st session of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 5-10 December, B.E. 2543/2000 the WFB unanimously approved the Resolution to carry on activities on the Vesak Day.

This Resolution required that in January each year, the President of the World FB issue a special message to the Regional Centres as well as all Buddhists organisations of the World
(a)appealing for the Worldwide observance of Vesak on the relevant date and
(b)declaring that the year Vesak 2001-Vesak 2002 be declared the International Buddhist Year Of Metta (Loving Kindness).

The celebration of Vesak includes a Global Meditation for World Peace.

On 17 April 2002, President of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, H.E. Phan Wannamathee, issued a circular to all WFB Vice-Presidents, all the members of the WFB Executive Council, all the Chairpersons of WFB 9 Standing Committee, all the presidents of the WFB Regional Centres and other Buddhist organisations in both Thailand and abroad, informing them that the International Global Meditation for World Peace will be observed simultaneously for 5 minutes on the Vesak Day beginning at 6.00pm local time.”

The World Fellowship of Buddhists Newsletter for April, 2545 B.E. stated that the 5 minutes – simultaneous meditation is part of the World Fellowship of Buddhists International Year of Metta (Loving Kindness) for diffusing the Metta to all sentient beings based on the Buddhist version as follows:

Sabbe Satta, May all sentient beings,
Avera hontu, Be free from enmity,
Abyapajjha hontu, Be free from ill will,
Anigha hontu, Be free from suffering,
Sukhi attanam pariharantu, Live a happy life.

John D. Hughes is a Vice-President of the World Fellowship of Buddhists.

At 6.00pm on Sunday 26 May 2002, Members of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. participated with Buddha Dhamma followers around the world in the Global Meditation for World Peace.

Vesak activities by Members of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. were developed to complement activities by Buddha Dhamma followers around the world.
In Singapore 43% of the population of 3,322,000 practice Buddha Dhamma.

The Dhamma Times reported that in Singapore, Buddhist devotees and chanting monks participated in a nine hour non-stop ceremonial cleansing of a 6 metre high Buddha statue sitting the Fountain of Wealth at Suntec City.

At the same time, thousands of devotees prayed around the fountain, as a sea of lighted lotus candles placed on a platform covered the fountain bed. This ritual symbolises the continuos spread of the Buddha’s teachings.

Before dawn, in Singapore’s Kong Meng San Phor Kark See monastery, people performed the traditional three-step, one-bow ceremony designed to give thanks to Buddha and repent their sins.

In recognition of the Buddha’s teachings to give to those in need, many thousands of needy Singaporians were provided with vegetarian food, including bags of cereal and biscuits.

Singapore Environment Minister Lim Swee Say, Minister of State (National Development) joined members of the People’s Action Party in a visit of the Shuang Lin Temple.

During the visit, Mr. Lim put a number of questions to the Buddhist Federation chairman Venerable Long Gen. It was explained to Mr. Lim that Buddhists abstain from killing in order to show gratitude for life.

Many Buddhists therefore choose to be vegetarians. When asked why statues of Buddha show him sleeping on one side, Venerable Long Gen responded that this was how he was found when he died.

After the visit, Mr. Lim that “I believe all of us understand Buddhism better after this. With understanding comes respect, and with respect, comes support”.

Mr. Lim’s insights are affirmed by the speech given by Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong at the Vesak Great Joy Party held in Singapore Expo Hall.

Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong stated that Buddhism shares many values with other great religions of the world. These include a spirit of self-determination and responsibility for one’s own destiny and compassion and kindness for fellow human beings.

Another core value is tolerance. People who are free to practice Buddhism must practice their belief in a manner which does not undermine other religions.

The Dhamma Times reported that in a Sri Lankan publication, entitled “The Meaning of Vesak”, the article states that Vesak provides an occasion for Buddhists and their leaders to hold a flat mirror to themselves and have a long hard look at what they have been doing.

Concerns were expressed for the lament that many Buddhists are distancing themselves from the temple, which once held the community together.

Forces of materialism and globalisation are extending a tremendous pull. Unbridled consumerism, falling value systems and easy access to vice have brought with them new challenges to the Buddhist temple.

In Buddha Dhamma the truth prevails. As stated by the writer, the best way to protect Buddha Dhamma is for Buddhists to live according to the teachings of the Enlightened One.

The population of Sri Lanka is 19,399,000 and 68.4% practice Buddha Dhamma.

In Melbourne, Victoria this Vesak, an aged solitary Monk born in Sri Lanka and some Sri Lankan Nuns, spent Vesak evening practicing a puja to the 28 Buddhas.

The usual offerings of food and light were made in this ceremony.
The ceremony was conducted in the Singalese language and Pali.

During the Vesak day, Teachings were in the English language. Our Founder’s daughter, Rani Hughes, attended the ceremony.

The aging solitary Monk, who has been in Australia for some years, is due to leave for his Temple in Candy, Sri Lanka next week and will most likely pass away there.

It is likely that he will never visit Australia again this life.

If the Sri Lankan Nuns can find supporters, they may continue to stay in Australia and practice other Vesaks in the Singalese language.
The main audience in attendance were Sri Lankans living in Australia.

In light of the activities cited in this talk, it is evident that Vesak provides an opportunity for those attempting to practice the Buddha Dhamma to remember why they resolved to take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha and to strengthen their resolve in this regard.

From other radio broadcast writing teams’ minor research on Vesak practices in a few countries, we hope to convey that this year’s practice is the driver of Vesak celebrations.

When time permits, our team would like to illustrate a time consuming convergent analysis of Vesak that may give a more through and useful mental analysis applicable to research using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

By this method, listeners and readers could gain access to the wisdom of Vesak celebrations.

We hope to have convinced listeners and readers that they ought promote the notion that more Australians ought to join in Vesak family celebrations next year wherever they happen to be in the World.

We wish to thank the publishers of The Dhamma Times, the Panna Youth Centre, Singapore for bringing us the latest Buddhist news and information through the Internet highway.

May all listeners and readers be well and happy in the coming year.

The writers and editors of this script are John D. Hughes Dip. App. Chem. T.T.T.C. GDAIE., Anita Hughes R.N. Div. 1, Julian Bamford B.A. App.Rec., Sharon Carlton B.A. Hons. Soc. Sci., Evelin Halls Dip. Foreign Language Correspondence, Pennie White B.A. Dip. Ed., Research by Rilla Pargeter.


References

Articles from THE DHAMMA TIMES, web site address : .

Day of prayer, song and rituals, The Straits Times, 28th May 2002.

Look around you during Vesak, The Lanka Daily News, 26th May 2002.

Prime Minister Goh Chock Tong Vesak Day Speech, Singapore Government Press Release, Media Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369.

The meaning of Vesak, Editorial, The Island, 26th May 2002.

Where do religions come in? By Bhikkhu Professor Dhammavihari, Lanka Daily News, May 25, 2002.

Vesak Festival marks three days in one, by The Nation Multimedia 26 May 2002.
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/DhammaTimes

Encyclopedia Britannica (2002) 2002 Britannica Book of the Year, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., U.S.A.

White, Pennie, (2002) Explorations in Learning, Instructional Design and Technology Annotated Bibliography, completed as part assessment for subject EDF6447 Explorations in Learning, Instructional Design and Technology, Lecturer Dr. Sue McNamara, taken as part of Masters in Education (Information and Communication Technology), Unpublished, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Disclaimer:

As we, the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd., do not control the actions of our service providers from time to time, make no warranty as to the continuous operation of our website(s). Also, we make no assertion as to the veracity of any of the information included in any of the links with our websites, or another source accessed through our website(s).

Accordingly, we accept no liability to any user or subsequent third party, either expressed or implied, whether or not caused by error or omission on either our part, or a member, employee or other person associated with the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.


Document Statistics

Counts
Words: 2589
Sentences: 123
Paragraphs: 98
Syllables: 3927

Averages
Words per sentence: 20.6
Sentences per paragraph: 1.3
Passive Sentences: 20

Readability Statistics
Flesch Grade Level: 12.8
Coleman-Liau Grade Level: 13.1
Bormuth Grade Level: 10.9
Flesch Reading Ease Score: 50.6
Flesch Kincaid Score: 11.1


We estimate that:

Minutes of editing: 750
Version number: 78

(Reference: Lotus Word Pro Help Files)


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