❖ Visākha Pūjā ❖

~ By Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~

Today is known as Visākha Pūjā, or Wesak, when we celebrate the birth, awakening, and parinibbāna of the Lord Buddha. What benefits should we who are followers of the Blessed One receive from this celebration?

Whenever our hearts and minds are clean, clear, and calm – free of any clinging that causes defiling egoism – Buddha is in our hearts.

May each of you enhance your bodies so that they become dwellings of Buddha. When our bodies are receptacles for Dhamma, the supreme reality, similar to God in other religions, then our flesh and bones are the same as Sangha. To improve our bodies in this way is the most fitting way to participate in Visākha Pūjā ceremonies.

May I express my wish that all of you that you will get the most benefit from participating in Visākha Pūjā today, as much as your spiritual strength and faculties allow. The faith, vigor, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom within you can be relied on to receive Dhamma as much as you are able.

(A Dhamma talk was offered by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. It was translated from the Thai on May 2020 by Santikaro Upasaka.)