The dawn of a lockdown Vesak
Prelates stress the importance of adhering to strict health sector guidelines; tell devotees to make use of technology to take sil at home and listen to sermons
With the COVID-19 outbreak yet to be contained, this year’s Vesak celebrations will be notable for the absence of many things that one normally associates with the most important day on the Buddhist calendar. Given the current situation, the focus will be firmly on celebrating Vesak at home.
The strict health sector guidelines and social distancing measures currently in place means large gatherings of any kind cannot take place this Vesak. On Friday (1), the Health and Indigenous Medical Services Ministry issued a set of guidelines to temples and the general public outlining how Vesak should be marked this year.
As per the guidelines, temples are advised to encourage the public to follow religious programmes from home. The ministry noted that temples should avoid organising programmes such as alms givings, meditation programmes, dansals, pandals, processions and other events that draw large crowds and make social distancing difficult.
Chanting of pirith and Dhamma sermons can be broadcast using loudspeakers, the ministry added.
People meanwhile, are advised to conduct religious observances from home. They are further advised not to organise
Vesak zones, dansals and pandals. They are, however, encouraged to put up Vesak lanterns and other decorations at home, and to conduct Pahan Pooja.
The Government has also revised its plans regarding the National Vesak Festival due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, said Bandula Harishchandra, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs. Accordingly, this year’s Vesak theme will be “Arogya Parama Labha, Santhutti Paramam Dhanan” (Health is the greatest gift, contentment is the greatest wealth).
The Government has declared a National Vesak Week from May 4 and the emphasis will be celebrating Vesak at home, Mr Harishchandra explained. “We are requesting Buddhists to hoist the Buddhist flag in their homes. Those who are allowed to travel can also put up the Buddhist flag on their vehicles. Arrangements have also been made to use electronic media and the internet to broadcast religious programmes so that people can take part in them from their homes.”
The celebrations will be centred on the Olaboduwa Rajamaha Viharaya in Horana. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will preside over a programme at Temple Trees on May 6 in his capacity as Minister of Buddhasasana where four new stamps will be issued to mark Vesak. One of the stamps will feature a historic wall painting from the temple. Mr Rajapaksa will also present a “Pooja Bhoomi Sannasa” (Deed of Gift) to the temple. The ceremony will be attended by the Mahanayaka Theras of the four chapters or their representatives.
On Vesak Poya Day (7), religious programmes will take place throughout the day at the Olaboduwa Rajamaha Viharaya. All these will be broadcast over State television and radio channels as well as over the internet and through social media networks such as Facebook. Those wishing to observe sil can do so from their homes and arrangements have been made to facilitate this via electronic media.
An all-night pirith chanting ceremony will also take place on Vesak Poya Day at the temple and will continue until the following day. “The pirith chanting is done to invoke blessings on the country and the world at this difficult time. Only a limited number of persons will attend in order to ensure social distancing. But it too will be broadcast via the media so devotees can take part from their homes,” the Secretary stressed.
Meanwhile, leading Buddhist monks called on people to adhere to health and social distancing guidelines and to direct their focus on marking Vesak with their families at home.
Chief Incumbent of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dhammaratana Thera said the main advise he will give devotees is to avoid organising any religious programmes that bring large groups of people together, and to practice social distancing.
“Vesak is a time of great celebration. Temples throughout the country become filled with devotees on this day. This is a cause of joy. Yet, this is a very difficult time and that is why we are asking Buddhists to take part in religious observances from their homes. They should meditate and use this opportunity as a time to reflect on the Dhamma and improve their inner qualities,” the Thera said.
He further pointed out that technology has advanced to such an extent that devotees need not go to the temple to observe sil. “They can also use this opportunity to ensure that the entire family takes part in religious observances. Normally, only one or two members of the family would go to the temple on Poya Day to observe sil. This year, the whole family can get together at home to do this.”
These views were echoed by Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Prof. Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangarakkitha Nayaka Thera. “Vesak is a time of great celebration. The same is true this year as well. The difference is how we approach it. We have to put limits on what we do. We cannot do things such as going to the temple to observe sil and listen to Dhamma sermons. Neither can we go and see pandals and colourful Vesak decorations. But we can still mark the event in other ways. People can observe sil at home, listen to sermons and discuss them, and they can put up Vesak decorations at home,” he pointed out.
The Buddha has asked his followers not to do anything that is harmful to themselves, others or to both themselves and to others, Ven. Prof. Sangarakkitha Thera observed. “We should never resort to something that is harmful to us or to others in society. That is why the guidelines aimed at minimising the spread of the disease must be followed. We can all be content in marking Vesak meaningfully at home,” he emphasized.