Vesak And Important Remembrance In Buddhism

JAKARTA - Today, Buddhists celebrate Trisuci Waisak. Based on the Buddhist calendar, this year is the year 2564. Therefore, it is not surprising to see or hear the greeting "Happy Vesak Day 2564 BE". BE stands for Buddhist Era .

The main figure of Buddhism is written as born in 623 BC (BC) and died at the age of 80. So according to calculations, the Buddhist calendar began in 543 BC. To get a Buddhist calendar year, simply add the Gregorian year to 543.

In Indonesia, there is only one Buddhist celebration which is used as a national holiday. This provision was only established in 1983 in conjunction with the establishment of the Nyepi national holiday. However, the celebration of Vesak Day is not the only important day in Buddhism. According to the Tipitaka, the holy book of Buddhism, there are four holy days of Buddhism.

Illustration (Wisnu Widjojo / Unsplash)

As is commemorated today, Trisuci Waisak is a commemoration of three sacred events that happened to Gautama Buddha, namely birth, enlightenment, and death. This commemoration invites Buddhists to reflect on and re-live the life struggle of the Buddha.

These three events did not actually occur on the same date, but the first World Conference of Buddhist Fraternities in 1950 agreed to celebrate all three simultaneously. This celebration is held every Vesakha month in the Buddhist calendar which usually falls in the month of May in the Gregorian calendar, right at the time of the full moon or full moon which is also called Purnama Siddhi.

Apart from the Trisuci Vesak commemoration, there are still Asadha Puja, Kathina, and Magha Puja commemoration. Siniar VOI this time not only discusses the Trisuci Vesak holiday, but also other important observations in Buddhism. Please press the listen button.