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Finally it is the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. The day which is celebrated to mark the birth, enlightenment and the death of Lord Buddha. So it is a very special day to the Buddhists all around the world. Sri Lanka’s main religion is Buddhism so Vesak Festival is well celebrated here in Sri Lanka.

There are many special things happen in the Vesak season. Making pandols, giving dansal, making Vesak lanterns, observing sil is some of them. But this time we were informed to celebrate Vesak at home. So pandols and dansal could not be held. Also we were unable to go to the temple due to the restrictions. And we light lamps in the two sides of the road which lies infront of home the other years. It was one of the best activities which I like in Vesak season. But this time it was also cancelled. So there is a big difference in the way we celebrate Vesak this time than the other years.

We made Vesak lanterns this year as the other years too. Usually we make the lanterns using bamboo and oil papers. The ones called as atapattam are the usual ones at our place.

But this time sister made some lanterns with card boards in a new way.

Also there were some bulbs to decorate the house. At night we light the lanterns and turned on the lights. It was really a beautiful scene. The nearby houses are the same.

After few minutes, my little brother came with one of the lanterns. It was burnt by the candle we used to light it. It reminded us the idea behind making Vesak lanterns.

If you have ever made a Vesak lantern, you should know the effort needed to make one. However the lanterns get destroyed at the end because of the candle in the middle or by wind or rain. It shows us the impermanence of everything. It is one of the main things that my religion teaches and it is a world truth. Though how much we like or dislikes something, it won’t exist everyday.

That burnt one before burning

As well we avoid making or eating any food come from animals today in our home. It is a tradition in our place. Many can have different attitudes but I believe it is a good thing to be away from those things even for one day. However I don’t eat any animal related food except eggs in the other days also.

I have observed sil a couple of times when I was little. But when growing up I started disliking going to temple when it is so crowded. And I found out some of the families came to observe sil and what they only do is eating and sleeping. But I like to go there when it is calm with less people. I get blamed by my mum saying that I dislike going to temple. But she never knows the reason.

I am happy of being a Buddhist and I respect the other religions too. And I believe that there are good things to learn in every religion. We should understand the reality in this life. First thing is everything is temporary and we should avoid bad deeds which does harm to us or the others. We should live as good people. If we cannot do good, atleast we should avoid doing bad deeds. That is the ways we should live.

But today I see some people acting with out any understanding abut the religion. And some are taking advantages of religion by commercializing it. These things are so hurtful to see.

Finally I would like to tell you this.

The day that we learn that living in the way that Lord Buddha said to live is more valuable than offering Lord Buddha with physical things,

The day we understand the value of helping a poor family more than offering a large number of dishes to a temple,

The day we can stop being jealous and put barriers in a success of someone and understand that it will give no good to us,

The day we understand being so rude to brother’s pregnant wife and going to the temples all around the world asking for a baby will do anything,

The day when we understand that going to the temple in poya day to observe sil and talking about all the random bad things about your neighbors will give you any pin,

And the day we start to live a good life as a good human understanding the real aspects of the religion

is the day we find the real value of Vesak.

So this is some of my thoughts about Vesak and this is how I feel and the way you feel can be different. And I am so glad to know your ideas also.

Happy Vesak to you all!!