by Shameera Nair Lin

Sunday marked a beautiful day for those commemorating Vesak Day in Malaysia: for the first time since the pandemic, devotees are now able to seek blessings at temples around the country once again. Just as importantly, this year marks the 60th anniversary of Vesak Day being declared a national holiday in Malaysia. To celebrate this special occasion, we would like to offer a quick overview of Wesak, looking at its history and what it entails.

Image source: CNN

The story begins in Lumbini, part of present-day Nepal, where Siddhartha Gautama – believed to have been a prince from a wealthy family — was born c. 623 B.C. However, after six years spent studying and meditating on his travels, he grew into a state of spiritual awareness and reached his goal to find meaning in life. It was on this day, the Day of Vesak, that he would also go on to achieve enlightenment, become the Buddha and pass on in his eightieth year of life.

Image source: Styles At Life

As such, the day serves to celebrate the birth, the attainment of enlightenment and to mark the occasion of his passing. It is also, in part, a time to reflect on the teachings of Buddha.

Image source: Traveloka

But what does a devotee usually do on the day itself? Traditions differ across Buddhist cultures internationally. In many Malaysian spaces, however, devotees gather at the temple to participate in prayers, bathing the statue of an infant Buddha with fragrant water thrice as a core part of the process.

Image source: The Star

While explanations may vary slightly, in essence, bathing the Buddha statue is a ritual intended as a symbolic cleansing of mind and matter, achieving purity of thought in being. At the end of the ritual, adherents may also gather for a vegetarian meal together.