Vesak Day Commemoration of three major events in the life of Siddharta Gautama Shakyamuni Buddha (563– 483 BCE), namely his birth, enlightenment and death. Also called Buddha Day, it is celebrated on the full moon of the fourth lunar month. It is a public holiday. Vesak Day is observed at all Buddhist temples.

The circumambulation ceremony at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery can be gruelling. Instead of walking around the stupa three times, some devotees walk three steps, prostrate themselves on the ground, rise and repeat the sequence. The whole procedure can take up to three hours.

The celebrations also include chanting of the holy sutras by monks, reinforcement of the Five Precepts (guidelines to being good Buddhists), and other acts of devotion and compassion. These range from pouring perfumed water over the Buddha figurine to giving gifts to the needy and releasing caged birds, and captive turtles or fish— though in recent years, temples have advised devotees to refrain from releasing animals, as the practice can upset ecosystems. Buddhists consume only vegetarian food on this day.

A candle- lit procession within the temple compound or along the street brings the day’s celebrations to a close.

See also Buddhism.

Photo credit: Singapore Press Holdings/ Lianhe Zaobao