On this auspicious day, we respectfully celebrate Sakyamuni Buddha’s contribution to humanity. Throughout his life, Sakyamuni Buddha encouraged his students to question his teachings and confirm them through their own experiences. More than 2000 years later, this non-dogmatic attitude still characterizes Buddhism today. Sakyamuni Buddha’s teaching was not only theoretical, it also included methods to experience the Truth of what he taught. His students were thus able to realize the experience behind the words. Because they were able to pass on the essence of the teachings from teacher to student, Buddhism is fresh and relevant today.
Buddha’s birthday has been the most significant celebration of all Buddhist traditions for over two thousand years. This auspicious day gives us an opportunity to pay our respects and commemorate his impact on all of humanity. His teachings today are as relevant and true as they were 2,500 years ago. His compassion has spanned not only over time but throughout the world.
Traditionally this day falls on the 8th day of the 4th moon according to the Lunar Calendar, which according to the Georgian calendar usually falls sometime in the month of May. On the day of Buddha’s birth is it said that the flowers bloomed. And so the day is also known as the Flower Festival. Flowers are given as offerings to adorn the nativity celebration. Altars are adorned with flowers and incense, people gather to chant, and a baby Buddha statue is bathed to signify spiritual purity.
Sakyamuni Buddha’s birthday celebration is also an opportunity for us to reflect on our life. Are we aspiring to be like the Buddha and live our lives with compassion and wisdom? Are we practicing his teachings in this life?
I teach because you and all beings
want to have happiness and want to avoid suffering.
I teach the way things are.
– Sakyamuni Buddha –
Sakyamuni Buddha’s Birthday and Bodhi Meditation
Sakyamuni Buddha’s birthday celebration is comprised of several traditional rituals that result in a purified body and mind. We welcome you to partake in this extraordinary blessing. Allow yourself to experience compassionate and auspicious energy while celebrating this joyous occasion. The celebration includes:- Bathe the Buddha: Commemorate the moment of Buddha’s birth by bathing a small, standing statue of the baby Buddha – its right hand pointing up and left hand pointing down (symbolizing his arrival to unite Heaven and Earth). Approach the Buddha reverently, praying for peace and harmony everywhere, fill a ladle with water from the basin provided, and pour it over the statue to “bathe” the baby. To bathe the Buddha is to purify our mind, body and spirit, to purge negative karma from lives past, present and future, and to embrace the auspicious light that washes over us all.
- Offer a light: Offer a light before Buddha so that the guiding light of wisdom will shine upon you in this lifetime. When you offer a light, your wish may come true, and pain may be alleviated.
- Wash Your Hands: This ritual gives you a chance to dispel harmful, negative behaviour such as gambling or smoking. Before washing your hands in the golden basin, make a commitment to stop a bad habit, large or small, by writing it on a piece of paper. Washing your hands also cleanses impurities and gives you a fresh start with a pure and light-filled body and mind.
- Chant to Buddha: Chant to Buddha with sincerity to receive incredible abundance, eliminate negative karma and transform your life. (FREE Music Download)
