Buddhism Wesak

Question 1

Main features

Answer 1

• Celebrated on full moon in May
• Homes cleaned in preparation
• Wesak lanterns made of paper in Thailand (Theravadin)
• Gather at dawn for ceremonial hoisting of the Buddhist flag & singing of hymns
• Followed by Puja service attended by lay & noble Sangha
• Altar decorated with white cloth/flowers and statue of Buddha as a baby
• Adherents kneel & bow 3 times in honour of the 3 jewels
• Taking of the tree refuges – Buddha, Dharma and Sangha & 5 or 8 precepts
• Group chanting
• Bathing of the Buddha – focal point in Mahayana variant
• Offering of gifts – flowers , candles , incense & vegetarian food (Annica (impermanence) 2nd mark of existence )
• Any new Buddhist are initiated by reciting the 3 refuges & and the five precepts
• Afternoon – meditation & distribution of food to monks and donations to the poor
• Monks tell stories from Jakata Tales
• Evening – ceremony of chanting and circumambulation of stupa 3 times lantern (Three Jewels) procession e.g. Thailand(Theravadin)