30 April, 2023
Buddhists the world over will celebrate Vesak, the thrice-blessed event which marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away of the Buddha on May 5 and 6. Vesak is a time for material and spiritual offerings to invoke merit for all living beings. It is also a time for reflection and healing of the mind. Although primarily centred on piety and worship, Vesak is not complete without its colourful decorations and lanterns. Here a vendor displays several varieties of Vesak lanterns at a stall at the People’s Park in Colombo. (Pic: Wimal Karunathilaka)
The State Vesak Festival will be held at the Kebellewala Sri Rathanasiri Bhikkhu Training Centre and Maha Pirivena, Chilaw on May 4 on the theme, “Seeing right as wrong and wrong as right leads to misery”.
Religious programs have been organised throughout the country from May 2 to 8 to mark this year’s Vesak celebrations.
All liquor shops will be closed from May 4 to 6 on account of Vesak.