After Easter Sunday terror attacks, Vesak radiates waves of resilience
Grim determination to celebrate the thrice-blessed day with religious observances Lantern and decor vendors surprised at sudden pick up in sales In some areas, people of all faiths come together to hold dansal
Though security considerations in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks have led to the cancellation of many public events during this year’s Vesak celebrations, they have not stopped the people from marking the most significant date on the Buddhist calendar in their own way.
There will be no major “Vesak Zones” this year owing to security concerns. There are hardly any pandals or large scale Vesak lanterns, while many dansal have also been called off owing to security concerns, as such places attract large crowds. Some temples have even taken the unprecedented step of not holding sil programmes during this year’s Vesak Poya.
Nevertheless, there appears to be a grim determination to celebrate Vesak in other ways.
In many parts of the country this week, people enthusiastically decorated roads with Buddhist flags, colourful lights and Vesak lanterns. The same was done in their homes and business establishments. People who cannot observe sil at the temple have opted to do so in their own homes. Steps are also being taken to donate money already collected to hold dansal to the poor or to victims of the terrorist attacks.
“I feel that, as Buddhists, we have a duty to celebrate Vesak this year even more than we have done during previous years,” said Bambalapitiya resident Chandi Ratnatunga (36), who was looking to buy Vesak lanterns at a roadside stall in Colombo on Friday. “I hope it will also bring blessings on our country at this difficult time.”
M. D. Karunaratne ( 68) from Bandaragama had even come with some old Vesak lanterns to a stall to try and see if they too can be fixed as he purchased new lanterns for his daughter’s office. “This is the most significant day for all Buddhists. We need to mark it in any way we can, no matter what,” he insisted.
Many vendors who sold Vesak decorations told the Sunday Times they were surprised at the number of people who were coming to buy Vesak decorations this year. “We start making lanterns more than one and a half months before Vesak. We actually cut down on the number of lanterns we made this year as we feared people won’t come due to the situation in the country.
But business has definitely picked up over the past few days,” said S.A. Gunawathi (60) who has been selling Vesak decorations for over a decade.
Reports from various towns said there were far more Buddhist flags adorning the streets than during Vesak in previous years. Even people of other faiths joined in decorating their areas as communities joined together to celebrate Vesak.
In Galle and Hambantota, main roads and most byroads were fully decorated with Buddhist flags and other decorations.
In Matara, the pandal that is annually erected on Hakmana Road was also erected this year while devotees observed sil at the Matara Bodhi under tight security. The local Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) meanwhile, has initiated a programme to channel funds collected to hold dansal in their areas to have school uniforms tailored for needy children who have lost a parent.
In the sacred cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, there was more emphasis this year on holding religious observances.
While the past week has seen violent attacks against Muslims by mobs in certain parts of the country, there are still heartening signs of unity among different communities.
In Maradana, the dansala that had been held annually for 26 years was due to be declared open last evening by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. United National Party Municipal Councillor Kithsiri Rajapaksa, the main organiser of the dansala, told the Sunday Times that it had always been organised with the participation of all communities in the area. “Maradana is a predominantly Muslim majority area and we have lived in harmony all these years. This remains the same even now. The Muslim community also helped in putting up Vesak decorations in the area,” he revealed.