The Wesak full moon day is held most sacred by the Buddhists for the birth, the renunciation and the demise of lord Buddha took place on such a day. And, the celebrations to mark this most important day are numerous.
Most of these celebrations take the form of religious observances, charity, decorations and innocent entertainment. All Buddhists on this day visit the temple and venerate their great religious leader. Many Buddhist sermons are heard during the Wesak season reviving the religious thought and feeling of the Buddhists. So, during the Wesak festival the people live in an atmosphere of religious awakening brought about by the various forms of these celebrations. This is something exemplary.
Acts of charity occupy a very special place in Wesak celebrations. Alms houses that serve food and drink to the needy dot the whole country. These alms houses cater specially to. The village folk who visit the city for worship, to see pandols and other decorations and to enjoy puppet shows, dramas etc., shown as a form of innocent entertainment. The Buddhist flags we so often see during the Wesak season are not only a decoration but also a reminder of the whole Buddhist philosophy. It’s significance is so great! Beautifully made Wesak lanterns, some times with hundreds of little members accompanying them are a beautiful sight. Competitions are often held sometimes to choose the best lantern and the maker of the best one is rewarded. Little children take much delight in bucket lamps made of colored transparent paper, with, lighted candles inside them. Pandols combine beauty with education for they generally depict jathaka stories or a scene from Buddhas’ life. The pandols are beautifully illuminated, sometimes depicting action.
Puppet shows, dramas and the dances of the “big-heads” are other forms of Wesak celebrations which combine entertainment often with religious education. Most of these shows and dramas bring to life on stage, a Jathaka story or a folktale with religious tones. People, specially the village folk, during Wesak festival visit the city enjoying the sight of these. The peaceful tone of the Weask celebrations with great emphasis on religious activity definitely have a profound effect not only on Buddhists but also on the people of other faiths, bringing them a glimpse of the rewards of the Buddhist way of life.
