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Unlock This CourseWesak (also spelt Vesak) is the most important festival in the Buddhist year. It is often called Buddha Day. It is kept at the full moon, usually in May.
Wesak remembers three events in the life of the Buddha. You met them in Siddhartha Gautama: From Prince to Enlightenment and The Buddha's Teaching, Death and Parinirvana, so here they are only named:
In the Theravada tradition, all three are remembered on the same day. Many Mahayana Buddhists keep them on separate days instead. In Japan, for example, the Buddha's birth is marked in April, apart from the days for his enlightenment and death.
Key terms:
Buddhists recall the Three Jewels (also called the Three Refuges): the Buddha, the Dhamma (his teaching) and the Sangha (the community). Many say the words of "taking refuge" together. This reminds them that the day is about the Buddha, his teaching, and the community that keeps it alive.
Some Buddhists set free caged birds or fish. This shows compassion (karuna), a main Buddhist value, and the first precept, not harming living things.
At the shrine in a vihara or at home, Buddhists offer flowers, light candles and burn incense. Flowers fade and candles burn down, which reminds Buddhists that everything is impermanent. They also give food and gifts to the monks.
Lay people renew the Five Precepts, the basic rules for living well. Some keep eight precepts for the day, which means living more simply than usual.
Other customs are common too. Homes and viharas are decorated, and many people hang lanterns, which are often lit as a symbol of the light of the Buddha's teaching. In some traditions the image of the baby Buddha is washed with water or sweet tea, to remember his birth. People also go to the vihara to listen to talks on the Dhamma.
Paper 2 (a) [AO1] Outline two ways in which Buddhists celebrate Wesak. [4 marks]
Paper 2 (b) [AO1, AO2] Explain why Wesak is important for Buddhists. [6 marks]
Paper 2 (c) [AO1, AO2] "Releasing animals is the best way to celebrate Wesak."
Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include reference to teachings, other (divergent) points of view, and your own opinion using reasoned arguments. [10 marks]
(a) Buddhists make offerings of flowers, candles and incense at the shrine (1), which remind them that everything is impermanent (1). Lay Buddhists also renew the Five Precepts (1), so they promise again to live by the Buddha's basic rules for good conduct (1).
(b) Wesak is important because it remembers the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha (1), the events that show Buddhists his example and that suffering can end (1). Taking refuge in the Three Jewels, the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha (1), renews their commitment to the path he taught. Releasing animals shows compassion (1), a main Buddhist value. Making offerings and keeping the precepts lets Buddhists practise generosity and good conduct (1). The festival also brings the Sangha together, so lay people and monks strengthen their community (1).
(c) Plan. For: it shows compassion (karuna) and follows the first precept, not harming living beings; it is an action, not just words; many Buddhists see it as a way to gain good kamma. Against: some Buddhists say animals may be caught just to be released, which causes suffering, and some may die; other ways such as offerings, the precepts, meditation and listening to the Dhamma are also central to Wesak; Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists keep the festival differently, and no single way is "best". Conclusion: releasing animals can be a good expression of compassion, but only if it truly helps the animals. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels and keeping the precepts are closer to the heart of the festival, so "the best way" is too strong.
In "Explain" answers, join every custom to a reason using "because" or "which shows". In "Discuss" answers, include the concern some Buddhists have about releasing animals as your divergent view.