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Mark your calendars for the serene and joyous celebration of Vesak on May 23! This auspicious day honors not only the birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, but also his Enlightenment and passing into Nirvana. Surely, these are three powerful reasons to join in the commemoration! Vesak has been observed for thousands of years, shedding light on its rich lineage, and is now celebrated globally among various communities. Dive in with us as we explore Buddha's vast wisdom and teachings, his life's historical milestones, and the grandeur of this special occasion. Now, let us embark on a journey towards tranquility and enlightenment together!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>563 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of Buddha</div><div class='timeline-text'>Birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama (later the Buddha) in Lumbini, in present-day Nepal, marking the start of the Buddha era.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>528 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Buddha's Enlightenment</div><div class='timeline-text'>Siddhartha Gautama attains Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, India, and becomes the Buddha.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>483 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Buddha's Passing</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Buddha passes away at the age of 80, entering Parinirvana in Kushinagar, India.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1400s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expansion of Buddhism</div><div class='timeline-text'>Buddhism expands to various parts of the world, including Tibet, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, resulting in different Vesak traditions.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>World Fellowship of Buddhists</div><div class='timeline-text'>The World Fellowship of Buddhists was established in Sri Lanka, deciding to celebrate Vesak as Buddha's birthday universally.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1999</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UN Recognition of Vesak</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations recognized internationally Vesak Day to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism has made to humanity.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Meditate with community</h3><p class='facts-text'>For many Buddhists, meditating can foster mindfulness, concentration, insight, and tranquility. A community-led meditation on Vesak can bring individuals together in their shared quest for enlightenment and peace. Invite friends or neighbors to join in a quiet, reflective moment in honor of Buddha’s teachings.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Participate in local Vesak activities</h3><p class='facts-text'>Various communities worldwide celebrate Vesak with colorful lantern processions, food offerings to monks, and releasing animals into the wild as a symbolic act of liberation. Some cities organize carnivals and art exhibits during this time. By joining such activities, you celebrate the beauty and symbolism of the day.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create your own Vesak lantern</h3><p class='facts-text'>Vesak lanterns represent the light of Buddha's wisdom driving away the darkness of ignorance. Making your own Vesak lantern can be a fun and creative way to celebrate the day. You can use different materials like colored paper, sticks, glue, thread, and candles or LED lights.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Donate to charity</h3><p class='facts-text'>Buddha's life and teachings were characterized by selflessness and compassion towards all living beings. In line with this, consider giving to charitable organizations on Vesak; offering assistance to those in need is a great way to honor his teachings.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Learn and discuss Buddha’s teachings</h3><p class='facts-text'>Buddha’s teachings hold timeless wisdom about humility, mindfulness, and compassion. Plan a small gathering with friends or family and take time to discuss the essence of his teachings. Doing so can shed light on new perspectives universally applicable in daily life, regardless of one's spiritual or religious practices.</p></div></div>
<div class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It Celebrates Buddha's Life and Teachings</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Vesak is a unique holiday that commemorates not one, but three significant events in Gautama Buddha's life - his birth, Enlightenment, and passing into Nirvana. This gives us an excellent opportunity to delve into the wisdom and teachings of Buddha.</p></div></div><div class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It Promotes Peace and Tranquility</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Taking part in Vesak festivities allows us to slow down from our fast-paced lives and reflect on the more profound aspects of our existence. This can lead to inner peace, mental clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose, hence enriching our lives.</p></div></div><div class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It Fosters a Sense of Community</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Vesak activities often bring diverse communities together in celebration. From participating in community-led meditations to local Vesak activities and discussions about Buddha's teachings, these shared experiences foster a sense of belonging and unity among participants.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Vesak is also known as "Buddha Day"</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to it commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, Vesak is often simply referred to as "Buddha Day" in some cultures.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The exact date of Vesak can vary</h3><p class='facts-content'>While we are celebrating it on May 23, the exact date can change every year as it is based on the lunar calendar. In some countries, it is usually celebrated on the first full moon in the month of May.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Bathing Buddha statues is a Vesak tradition</h3><p class='facts-content'>A lot of temples conduct a "Bathing of the Buddha" ceremony. Buddhists pour water over Buddha statues, symbolizing purification and the washing away of sins and bad karma.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There's a special flag for Vesak</h3><p class='facts-content'>Designed in 1885 in Sri Lanka, the Buddhist flag, consisting of blue, yellow, red, white, and orange color stripes, is often hoisted in households and public places to mark Vesak celebrations.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Vesak is a U.N. recognized day</h3><p class='facts-content'>In 1999, the United Nations resolved to internationally recognize Vesak, signifying the important values of tolerance and understanding that Buddhism has contributed to humanity.</p></div></div>
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