A Week of Eight

This Saturday is Vesak (or Wesak) which is the probably the biggest Buddhist holiday world-wide. It marks the birthday of Siddhartha Gautama who would later become The Buddha. This holiday celebrates his birth, enlightenment, and death all in one package.

During this time there are as many different ways to observe this holiday as there are schools and sects within Buddhism. Some prepare special meals, some release birds into the sky, some cities even close down their liquor and butcher shops for two days, while others spend their time in monasteries.

One common practice for lay (non-ordained) practicioners is to take on three additional trainings or precepts in addition to the basic five. These are:

The training to avoid taking the life of living beings.
The training to avoid taking things not given.
The training to avoid sensual misconduct.
The training to avoid wrong speech.
The training to avoid intoxicating substances.

With the additional three of:

The training to abstain from taking food at inappropriate times.
The training to abstain from sensual pleasures such as dancing, singing and self-adornment.
The training to abstain from the use of high or luxurious beds or chairs

These precepts are interpreted differently by different people. They are aimed at avoiding situations that give rise to unskillful states of mind and in turn cause harm to others or oneself.

Vesak is used to strengthen one's motivation towards following their chosen path, hence the taking on of the extra vows and spending they day doing things more centered towards spiritual practice.

For the next week I plan on taking on the three additional precepts and can hopefully use the time to strengthen my practice.

Happy Sunday!

- BhikkhuDave