The world of Tzu Chi May 2021 (Vol.134)

showering Prince Siddhartha statues with flower and water on that day; hence, the folks named it the Bathing of the Buddha Festival. In Korea, it is called Seokga Tansinil (Siddhartha’s birthday) while in Vietnam, it is called Phat Dan (Buddha’s birthday). In Malaysia and Singapore, most Buddhists observe Mahayana Chinese Buddhism. However, when applying to make Vesak Day as a public holiday in 1949, the full-moon day of May in the Gregorian calendar was used. (This indicates that although only a minority of Buddhists in Malaysia and Singapore observe Theravada Buddhism, it has a great influence.) Former Malaysian Buddhist Association Chairman, Venerable Master Jin Ming, once announced two weeks before and after the full-moon day of May as Vesak month (which is actually true), and it is such a joy that Buddha’s birthday (the eighth day of the fourth lunar month) falls in Vesak month as well. Moreover, in addition to celebrating Vesak Day in May, the Mahayana temples in Malaysia and Singapore also commemorate Buddha’s Enlightenment and Parinirvana on the 8th day of the twelfth lunar month and the 15th day of the second lunar month; skilfully managing the differences. The fact is that researching the actual dates of the birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of Buddha, which happened more than 2,500 years ago, is only to satisfy our thirst for knowledge, and nothing more. When Malaysian Buddhists from different schools of Buddhism and ethnic groups reached a consensus in 1949 to set the triple celebration on the full-moon day of May, it was definitely not to ascertain this day as the true date for such momentous events, but to set a date accepted by all Buddhists to commemorate a Great Teacher, thereby inspiring all to learn and practise the Dharma and stride forward on the Bodhi Path. This is the true meaning and significance of Buddha Day or Vesak Day. • President of the Buddhist Research Society of Malaysia • Chairman of Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia • Consultant of Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia Dato’ Ang Choo Hong over Story 2021 • 05 24