By Ravini Perera
Vesak, celebrated by Buddhists all around the world, occupies a significant place in the hearts of the devotees of Lord Buddha. It is the most important festival in the Buddhist calendar and commemorates his birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana (passing away).
The week-long celebration has a religious as well as a cultural aspect to it. To us Sri Lankans, it is as grandiose as Christmas is in the West. However, Vesak celebrations have been confined to our homes for the past two years, due to security and health concerns, and it was no different during this year of 2021.
Sri Lankans embrace simplicity and thus were advised to place more emphasis on religious observances on the Vesak Day of 2021, complying with the strict guidelines issued by the health authorities and the religious leaders.
Brunch took a trip down memory lane with an elite group of individuals, reliving some of their favourite memories of Vesak.
A time for meditation and meritorious deeds
As per the teachings of Lord Buddha, we are reminded to live with compassion and in harmony with people of other faiths and to respect their beliefs.
Customarily, on the Full Moon Poya Day of the month of May, temples are filled with devotees and pilgrims from all corners of the island observing sil, chanting pirith, and participating in bodhi pooja (the worship of the sacred bo tree).
Deshamanya Prof. J.B. Disanayaka, a well-known personality and one of the leading professors of the Sinhala language, sharing his thoughts on the topic, stated: “Buddhists undertake to lead noble lives making a daily affirmation for the observance of the five precepts (pancha sila). Nevertheless, on a special day such as Vesak they observe either eight or 10 precepts (ata sila or dasa sila), vowing to bring no harm to others or oneself and while discipling themselves of the practices of morality, simplicity, and modesty.”
Devotees also engage in giving alms at temples and organising dansal (free food and refreshments) for passersby, as this marks a time of giving and sharing among the people.
The festival of lights and togetherness
Vesak is vastly associated with the lighting of lamps and lanterns. Thus, many Sri Lankans are brought together with the excitement of preparing for and celebrating this cultural event. Hence, the days leading up to the week of Vesak are often filled with busy schedules for both the young and old.
Lighting is a way of paying homage to the memory of Lord Buddha, who transmitted the message of the Dhamma, and in his own way, light, to the world.
From simple oil lamps, candlelit buckets, and Vesak lanterns to gaily illuminated barges afloat the Beira Lake and pandols (thoran), all corners of the island are covered with lights and colour.
Prof. Disanayaka went on to explain that, in the times gone by, a collective effort was put into the construction and decoration of Vesak lanterns at homes. The intricate details embedded in the final masterpiece is mostly a result of the talents of many people coming together.
“With the passage of time, many of the religious and cultural characteristics of the festival of Vesak have been commercialised. Thus, many of the present generations have not been able to get the due exposure and understand the true meaning nor the real excitement behind this event,” he added.
Speaking further, he emphasised that the culture and values taught by this sacred event must be preserved for generations to come.
Mimes, puppet shows, street theatre performances, dancers (olu bakko), and also mini perahara processions too contribute to filling the streets with crowds. The professor also reminisced on how the youth gathered to stage plays back in the day. “Each play depicted a ‘jathaka kathawa’ from the ‘pansiyapanas jathaka potha’ that highlighted a moral such as honesty,” he noted.
Music that has stood the test of time
Bakthi gee (devotional songs) and religious songs such as “Buddan saranan gachchami”, “Mal sugande”, and “Budunge ama dharma” are some of the songs that are heard repeatedly during the month of Vesak. Thus, history has the name of the late Mohideen Baig written in golden letters for his priceless contribution and service rendered to our culture, Buddhism, and the music industry.
Ishaq Baig, one of the most influential and multicultural musicians in Sri Lanka and the son of the late Mohideen Baig, also spoke to Brunch about his fond memories of his late father and of Vesak.
He viewed this as a celebration that can be enjoyed by every one of us, regardless of age, race, or religion.
“I too spent my early days enjoying the festivities of Vesak with my friends. The Galle Face Green was a hotspot that attracted the largest number of visitors during the time of Vesak. Dansal and pandols such as the ‘Thotalanga thorana’ added more glamour to this national festival that was a week long,” said Baig.
The month of May can be considered as a time dedicated to the songs sung by the late Mohideen Baig. “I am overwhelmed with happiness to hear these devotional songs during Vesak, years after they were sung by my father. I too sing such songs as an honour to his memory,” he said.
Music is a universal language which can be related to by all beings. Songs have never failed to teach us about life. “We come to this world empty-handed and leave this world empty-handed. We are only left with the meritorious acts that we carry out in our lifetimes,” he added.
Being a Muslim has not prevented him from respecting Lord Buddha or his doctrine. Elaborating on the topic, Baig added that Vesak can teach us many things we did not know in life if we are willing to learn.
Speaking further, he stated: “My father was a cultural singer who was born in India but called Sri Lanka his home with pride. He brought his songs to life and by these songs gave life to many of his listeners. Through his music he focused on the greatness of this country and of Lord Buddha.”
A humble musician who led a simple life and rejoiced in the work he had created for approximately six decades, the legacy he has left behind and his immeasurable contributions to the industry will be remembered eternally.
His younger days, as Baig recalls, were perfectly different in comparison to the current years. “Times have changed and most values have diminished. Electronic devices have replaced many things in the lives of the younger population. The Vesak we celebrated as children may never be experienced by the younger generations of the present or future,” he stated.
He also added that culture should exist everywhere starting from within a family, and that obedience and respect are evidently deteriorating from our great nation along with many other factors.
Change of traditions and practices
Veteran Sri Lankan actress Anoja Weerasinghe, speaking to Brunch, reminisced on the excitement that surrounded the Vesak festival while she was growing up.
“It was a celebration that held the potential to bring people from all walks of life together,” she said.
Hailing from Monaragala, Badulla, Weerasinghe explained Vesak as a time that gathered the entire village to one place. “The entire village would overflow with happiness, love, and unity. Each and everyone looked forward to the Vesak week,” she said.
Weeks of planning and preparing decorations and building Vesak lanterns from scratch made the celebrations even more joyous and memorable.
Speaking further, she stated: “The enthusiasm we had as children cannot be seen in the present generations. Hence, as youngsters we utilised Vesak to showcase our talents and creativity.”
With the busy and regimented lifestyles led by the present generation, it is nearly impossible to imagine the future of our culture and values. The selfless attitudes have been replaced by that of egocentric attitudes.
“Covid-19 has afforded every individual an opportunity to reflect on the true values of life. As humans, we have selfishly destroyed and continue to destroy what we once considered important. Thus, we must protect our culture and nature,” Weerasinghe added.
The thought of the future that lies ahead is alarming. However, it is clear that we must preserve the values that have been passed down to us through our ancestors for the benefit of many more generations to come. Henceforth, be optimistic about the future that we will once again be able to celebrate these events that are a true representation of the Sri Lankan culture in a healthy and secure manner.
