Vesak is the most significant event on the Theravada Buddhist calendar.
It commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, the teacher of the noble path that devout disciples of Buddhism follow to cease all suffering.
Vesak Day falls on the full moon day of the month May, which this year is Sunday 19 May.
Mahamevnawa Buddhist Meditation Centre (MBMC) in Mount Evelyn will host a week-long colourful Vesak festival to mark the triple anniversary of the Supreme Buddha from 18 to 26 May.
The centre welcomes all to join the celebrations from 6pm to 10pm on 18 and 19 May at 71 Monbulk Road, Mount Evelyn.
Visitors will see the bright and colourful giant Vesak pandol – erected to depict the past lives of the Buddha – lit with thousands of lights, the rotating Vesak lantern and another set of colourful lanterns, along with a canopy of small lanterns.
When a candle or oil lamp is lit or a lantern hung during Vesak, they symbolise Buddha’s light of great wisdom.
When Buddhists give something in charity on the day, they do so recalling the Buddha’s perfection of giving, practiced through the long journey of births and deaths with the intention of gaining Enlightenment.
All visitors to MBMC will be provided with refreshments, which will include Sri Lankan foods.
