An important day for Buddhists, Wesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha, carrying symbolic meanings beyond its practices.
A Day of Deep Significance
Each year on Wesak Day, Buddhist practitioners around the world visit temples to commemorate the occasion with the bathing of Prince Siddhartha. The symbolic meaning of this commemoration goes beyond the simple steps of lighting a candle, offering joss sticks, and bathing the Baby Buddha.
Sharing about the day, Kuching Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Association’s president, Sim Siew Leng, said that Wesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha.
“Hence, most Buddhists visit the temple on this day to chant, meditate, and perform the bathing of Prince Siddhartha. The significance of this ritual is to remind all Buddhists to practice diligently to be free from greed, anger, and delusion until they attain enlightenment.”
They also light candles, which signify the rekindling of the light of wisdom and the dispelling of the darkness of ignorance, she added.
“It’s only with wisdom that one can follow the Buddha’s teaching diligently.”
Prior to Wesak, the temple prepares the receptacle for the bathing of Prince Siddhartha by arranging flowers, filling the receptacle with water, and placing the statue of Prince Siddhartha inside.
A symbolic meaning
Each offering on Wesak Day has its respective meanings. According to the Kuching Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Centre’s Abbot, Venerable Bhikkhuni Dhammika, candles, flowers, and the bathing of the Buddha hold symbolic significance beyond the gesture.
“When Buddha was born into this world, it was like a lamp in a dark room. If you’re in a dark room, you light a candle. One of the reasons why we offer candles is because the light from them gives us brightness.”
She explained that sometimes, when a Buddhist offers a candle at the temple, it signifies that they are facing difficulties and contemplating them. To offer a light means to motivate oneself out of darkness.
“As for flowers, you can see that when they’re fresh, they’re beautiful. But after a few days, they wilt. This signifies the meaning of impermanence — something that is beautiful can wilt. Then you will understand that everything on earth is impermanent.”
Meanwhile, bathing the Buddha statue on this day holds a beautiful meaning. Venerable Bhikkhuni described the act of bathing as a process of becoming clean. Explaining how water is fluid and calm, she compared it to letting all worries flow away and disappear.
“When you pour the water on the Prince, it has a soothing effect as you watch the water flow. You feel happy. Seeing something clean in front of you makes you feel good.”
When asked why the statue of Prince Siddhartha is bathed three times, Venerable Bhikkhuni said that it isn’t a forced practice but rather an act of purification and mindfulness. She noted that, typically, the first time, most people feel anxious to do their best.
“But with the second chance, they’ll contemplate doing it slowly and mindfully. And by the third time, they feel they have done it well and with confidence.”
Buddha’s teaching of enlightenment
A day to celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha — Buddhists around the world commemorate this day, drawing inspiration from his life stories and teachings. During his lifetime as a prince, though sheltered by his father, he saw the sufferings of the people of his time.
Physical suffering was prevalent, and in today’s world, mental suffering has also become a significant burden. Prince Siddhartha sought ways to alleviate the people’s sufferings. It was under the Bodhi tree that he became enlightened.
One of the teachings of the Buddha is, “By ourselves, evil is done. By ourselves, we become pure,” which translates to the understanding that only by ourselves can we realise the Dhamma.
“When a person understands Dhamma and applies it to their daily life, it can change their character and way of thinking. Then, when dealing with people, they will have a greater understanding. When you are free from all kinds of suffering, only then can there be satisfaction and happiness,” she added.
The Kuching Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Centre welcomed devotees for the Pali chanting, candlelight procession in the vicinity of the centre, and paying homage to the Bodhi tree yesterday on Wesak Eve, and welcomes them for Buddha Puja and the bathing of Prince Siddharta today.
