What is Vesak and How Is It Celebrated?

Vesak is the most sacred day of the year for Buddhists as it marks the Buddha’s birthday, the day he attained enlightenment, and the day he passed away. Vesak falls on the first full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha (usually in May) and is a time to reflect on the Buddha’s teachings and to remind ourselves of the importance of compassion, peace, and kindness.

Who Was the Buddha?

Siddhartha Gautama lived 2,500 years ago in modern-day Nepal. He was the son of a king and a queen and, despite being born into a wealthy family, he became preoccupied with the meaning of life, and specifically with human suffering. He went in search of answers, and through meditation, fasting, and learning from others, he finally achieved enlightenment: an understanding of the cause of human suffering and how we can be released from it. He spent his life teaching others about the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

The Buddhist Four Noble Truths

In brief, the four Noble Truths as understood by the Buddha are:

1. Life is suffering (dukkha).
2. Suffering is caused by craving for things we do not have and wanting our lives to be different than they are.
3. Suffering has an end.
4. The Eightfold Path and the Middle Way will lead us to Nirvana, an end to our suffering.

The Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path is a set of practices to live by that will lead us to enlightenment. They may be translated and interpreted in different ways but here is one interpretation with a very brief summary of what each one entails:

1. Right Vision (samma ditthi): knowledge and understanding of the Four Noble Truths
2. Right Intention (samma sankappa): to be convinced of the need to renounce suffering
3. Right Speech (samma vaca): to be kind and honest in our communications 
4. Right Action (samma kammanta): to ensure we act in ways that cause no harm to other beings
5. Right Livelihood (samma ajiva): to earn our living only from ethical practices
6. Right Effort (samma vayamaya): to consistently apply ourselves to this path
7. Right Mindfulness (samma sati): to remain mindful of our path, actions, and thoughts
8. Right Concentration (samma samadhi): to withdraw from distractions and rest in a state of awareness

The Buddhist Middle Way

The Middle Way is a rejection of extremes of thought, emotion, action, beliefs, and lifestyle. It seeks a path between the excesses of indulgence and denial, and between attachment and aversion. It is simply the call to take a moderate line in our thoughts and deeds.

How Is Vesak Celebrated?

As Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha, this day focuses closely on his teachings and followers re-commit to living in accordance with them. Buddhists may start the day with a visit to the temple for hymns and meditation and may leave offerings of flowers, candles, and incense.

After that, the day is dedicated to good deeds and acts of charitable kindness, which is, of course, how Buddhists are taught to live every day. Remembering the lessons of the Eightfold Path, this is a day to recommit to kindness in how we communicate and how we behave to others. Food is fully plant-based so as to live in accordance with samma kammanta and cause no suffering to other beings. In the evening, there may be candlelit processions or followers may simply light our own candles in commemoration of the Buddha’s enlightenment and the path he showed us.

Recipes To Celebrate Vesak

Ten popular, delicious, and compassionate dishes to try this Vesak are:

1. Quinoa Buddha Bowl
2. 5 Minute Noodles
3. Sesame Stir Fry
4. Vegan King Crab Cakes with a Chili Dipping Sauce
5. Chickpea, Tofu and Spinach Curry
6. Vegan Tofu Makhanwala
7. Aloo Gobi in Coconut Gravy
8. Dal
9. Chickpea Masala
10. Sweet Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

How To Celebrate Vesak at Home

We may all mark this day differently, but you might consider:

1. Lighting a candle and meditating on compassion and an end to suffering
2. Spending some time reading and reflecting on the Buddha’s life and teachings
3. Volunteering for a charity or local community project, or helping a friend or neighbor in need
4. Making a donation to a humanitarian or animal charity
5. Mindfully cooking a plant-based meal and sharing it with family, friends, or neighbors
6. Reading the Dalai Lama’s teachings
7. Taking a walk under the full moon’s light and reflecting on how we may bring more light and compassion into the world