Vesak Day is the most important event of the year for the Buddhist community. It commemorates the birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of the Buddha on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month. This occasion, observed by millions of Buddhists worldwide, pays homage to the Buddha and His teachings. This day is also significant to all humans as well as all sentient beings, as it marks the conquering of unknowing, worries, fears, anxiety, stress, greed, hatred and suffering. Beyond our differences in race, language, religion and beliefs, we share this potential to reach the maxim of spiritual development – Nirvana, Arahanthood and Buddhahood.

Each year, we will hold our annual 3-Steps-1-Bow Ceremony on the eve of Vesak Day. The first monastery in Singapore to hold this ceremony, our first 3-Steps-1-Bow Ceremony was held in 1984. Starting at the front of Hall of Great Strength and ending at the Hall of Great Compassion, the entire journey around the monastery takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. Apart from 3-steps-1-bow, other important ceremonies include the Bathing of Prince Siddhartha and the Light Transference Ceremony. Other activities during this festival includes our annual Vesak fair, family and kids corner, youth activities and prayer sessions.

As you join us to celebrate Vesak, at the same time, do be mindful of the significance behind each of the ceremonies!

Bathing of Prince Siddhartha

The act of ‘bathing of Prince Siddhartha’ symbolises the purification of one’s unwholesome deeds. As you fill the ladle with clear water and pour over the Buddha statue three times, you can recite:

Reverently I hereby bathe the blessed Tathagathas

With magnificent wisdom and merits vast as the ocean

May all beings with the Five Impurities be cleansed

And attain the Tathagatha’s Dharma body (Teachings)

Light Transference Ceremony

In this ceremony, devotees hold a lighted candle after sunset, as they pave around the perimeter of a temple or a holy object in walking meditation. Mantras or the Buddha’s name are chanted while doing so. The ceremony represents the passing of the light of wisdom (sharing of the truth) to every direction of the world to dispel the darkness of ignorance. On a personal level, it has the significance of lighting one’s inner lamp of wisdom. The perpetual passing on of light to countless others without one’s own flame dying symbolizes that wisdom can be shared without loss on one’s part. In the ceremony, it is most inspiring to see a single flame illuminate a sea of darkness to become an ocean of lights bringing brightness to one another.

3-Steps-1-Bow Ceremony

In this ceremony, devotees usually line up before sunrise to meditatively circumambulate the perimeter of the temple, bowing once every three steps, while chanting mantras or the name of the Buddha in praise of Him. Upon every prostration, the Buddha can be visualised to stand before one’s palms, which open to receive His teachings. The open palms also symbolise lotuses (our minds) blossoming into purity. Though lotus flowers’ roots are in the “mud of defilements”, they blossom untainted. Every prostration is thus the paying of respects to the Buddha (or the countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas). This practice helps to purify the mind, humble the ego and lessen obstacles along the spiritual path as one repents past misdeeds and aspires towards spiritual improvement. With mindfulness of one’s body, speech and mind during the practice, concentration and calmness can be attained. As the ceremony is long, it reminds one of the long and occasionally difficult journey towards Enlightenment. But it also serves to remind us that as long as we are determined, all difficulties can be overcome. Perseverance in completing the practice despite its difficulties also helps to strengthen our faith in the Buddha and His teachings to lead us towards Enlightenment. The break of dawn at the end of the ceremony represents the light of wisdom dispelling the darkness of ignorance as one advances towards Enlightenment.