My first holiday here in Singapore, it's Vesak Day!
As I asked the people around me what is this Vesak Day, they said that this day a Local Holiday in which they commemorate the birth of Buddha, and also the enlightenment and it's death. It is also the day wherein you spend your time in immense joy, reflection and peace. Thousands of Buddhist faithful flock to the temples to celebrate Vesak Day, which falls on the fifteenth day of the fourth month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar – usually in May. A special ceremony takes place, with devotees singing hymns and the Buddhist flag being raised, while the crowd offers simple gifts such as candles, flowers and incense sticks to their spiritual leaders.
It is also believed that by performing good deeds on Vesak Day, the merit earned will be multiplied many times over. Such deeds include mass blood donations, eating vegetarian meals, the release of caged animals and birds, or bathing a statue of the Buddha, an act which refers to the belief that the child Buddha was showered in the waters of the nine dragons shortly after being born.
It is also believed that by performing good deeds on Vesak Day, the merit earned will be multiplied many times over. Such deeds include mass blood donations, eating vegetarian meals, the release of caged animals and birds, or bathing a statue of the Buddha, an act which refers to the belief that the child Buddha was showered in the waters of the nine dragons shortly after being born.