LET’S NOT PLAN

“Now that 'Avurudu' is over, we can look forward to Vesak. Unfortunately, it falls on a Saturday (5 May) but the Government is giving the following Monday (7 May) as a holiday. I hope the Private Sector follows suit!”commented Marlene.

“Vesak is the most important festival for Buddhists all over the world for it commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away of the Buddha," informed Vajira.

“How are you going to spend the day?”asked Marlene. “Well, I will go to the temple even though it is hard to meditate when there is a crowd.!”observed Vajira, adding “One is so easily distracted, looking out for familiar faces and so on.”

“Aren't you going to make Vesak lanterns with the family?”chimed in Prema.

“Well, I don't want to plan too many activities because then nothing will get done," replied Vajira, adding, “However, I have asked Lalith, my husband, to go shopping with the children and buy kite paper to make lanterns.”

“There is still plenty of time to plan on making Vesak decorations. Then what about going sightseeing? There are usually beautiful pandals put up at popular junctions in the city. There are Jataka stories of the Buddha's life related via these pandals with lovely paintings and multi-coloured lights. There are also famous families of Vesak “koodu” or lanterns hanging here and there,” said Prema.

“Isn't it strange that the New Year is celebrated at home while one goes out sightseeing for Vesak?”observed Marlene.

“The main thing is that the Buddha taught that all things are temporary and that one should not give way to materialism. One should also not become attached to possessions. One should practise detachment from things and people and strive for equanimity or 'Upekka',”concluded Vajira.

Let's not plan too much…