Every May, Singapore marks Vesak Day, a public holiday observed by Buddhists here and across Asia. You’ll see devotees visiting temples, offering flowers, lighting candles, and perhaps even releasing animals as an act of compassion. For most people, that’s the picture of Vesak Day.
But—as always—there’s more beneath the surface. Here are five things you may not know about Vesak Day, whether you’re Buddhist, non-Buddhist, or just happy about the midweek holiday.
1. How Do You Even Say “Vesak”?
Let’s start with the basics: pronunciation. In Singapore, you’ll hear “Vay-sak” or “Vee-sak.” Technically, it comes from the Pali and Sanskrit word “Vesākha”, referring to the lunar month in which the Buddha was born. In Sri Lanka, it’s called Vesāk, while in Thailand it’s Visakha Bucha Day. So yes—there’s no one “correct” way, and the pronunciation shifts with local tongues.
2. One Day, Three Big Events
Vesak isn’t just about the Buddha’s birthday. It’s a triple commemoration:
- The birth of Siddhartha Gautama,
- His enlightenment under the Bodhi tree,
- And his passing into Nirvana (Parinirvana).
Think about it—it’s like a spiritual trilogy rolled into a single day. A reminder that beginnings, transformations, and endings are all part of one journey.
3. Celebration in Singapore vs. Elsewhere
In Singapore, Vesak Day is observed with temple visits, bathing of the Buddha statue, chanting, almsgiving, and candlelight processions. You’ll also see devotees eating vegetarian meals as a form of compassion.
But step outside Singapore, and you’ll discover different flavours of Vesak:
- In Sri Lanka, homes and streets are lit up with colourful paper lanterns, some so elaborate they take weeks to build.
- In Thailand, monks lead candlelit processions around temples, and people gather for meditation and prayers.
- In Myanmar, water-pouring rituals are carried out at Bodhi trees, symbolising gratitude for the Buddha’s enlightenment.
- In Indonesia, Borobudur temple becomes the centrepiece, with thousands of monks releasing glowing lanterns into the night sky—a sight both spiritual and cinematic.
Same day, same root, but expressions shaped by culture.
4. It’s Not Just About Ritual—It’s About Service
Here’s something easy to miss: Vesak isn’t only about temple rituals. It’s about living the values of compassion and kindness. That’s why many Buddhist organisations in Singapore mark the day by organising blood donation drives, food distribution to the needy, or even environmental clean-ups.
The point? Enlightenment isn’t just a statue you bathe in scented water—it’s a value you practice.
5. The Release of Animals—With a Twist
One of the most talked-about Vesak practices is the release of animals, meant as an act of compassion. Birds, fish, and turtles are often set free. But here’s the twist: modern Buddhist groups have raised concerns that this sometimes causes harm (for example, animals are captured just to be sold for release).
As a result, more temples in Singapore now encourage “symbolic release” or acts of mercy like planting trees, reducing meat consumption, or supporting wildlife protection instead. Compassion, after all, is about intention and impact—not just ritual.
Why It Matters
Vesak Day is easy to flatten into a stereotype: temple, candles, vegetarian bee hoon. But look closer, and you’ll see it’s a living, evolving celebration across cultures. From lanterns in Sri Lanka to candlelit walks in Thailand, from blood drives in Singapore to lantern releases in Borobudur, the spirit is the same: compassion, reflection, and unity.
Or, to borrow a Buddhist saying:
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
And perhaps that’s the best thing we can remember on Vesak Day—that kindness, once shared, only multiplies.
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