Every year, Vesak arrives with glowing lanterns, fragrant incense, and heartfelt chants. But beyond the rituals lies a deeper truth: Vesak isn’t just a celebration—it’s a commitment to embody the Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives. It’s about recognizing the suffering around us and responding with compassion and action.
1. Practicing the Dharma: Beyond Rituals
The Buddha emphasized that true reverence comes not from offerings but from living the Dharma. This means cultivating compassion, understanding, and ethical conduct in our interactions. It’s about transforming our lives and, by extension, the world around us.
“The supreme worship is to live by the Dharma.” — Mahāparinibbāna Sutta
2. Embracing Engaged Buddhism
Engaged Buddhism calls upon us to apply Buddhist principles to social issues. It’s about recognizing suffering in all its forms—poverty, discrimination, environmental degradation—and taking steps to alleviate it. By doing so, we honor the Buddha’s path of compassion and wisdom.
3. Supporting LGBTQ+ Inclusion
The essence of Buddhism is compassion and understanding for all beings. This includes embracing and supporting our LGBTQ+ siblings. Discrimination has no place in the Dharma. Modern Buddhist leaders like Ajahn Brahm and Thich Nhat Hanh have advocated for full LGBTQ+ inclusion, emphasizing that kindness and love should be at the heart of our practice.
4. Taking Action Against Inequality
Recognizing suffering is the first step; the next is action. Whether it’s speaking diplomatically up against injustice, supporting marginalized communities, or simply listening with empathy, our actions can make a difference. Engaged Buddhism teaches us that compassion must be active.
How to engage as a Buddhist
See Suffering Clearly
Recognize pain in yourself and others—inequality, injustice, loneliness. The Buddha’s path begins with this honesty.
Refuge in Action
“Going for refuge” means standing up for the vulnerable. Protect life: challenge systems that harm, nurture minds and bodies.
Love as Supreme Worship
Respect isn’t passive—it’s feeding the hungry, listening to the marginalized. Speak truth with care, share resources and power.
Vesak Every Day
Burn incense? Yes—but burn brighter for peace and harmony. Celebrate rituals? Yes — then show through your actions, speech and intention.
In Conclusion
Vesak is more than a commemoration; it’s a call to live with compassion, to recognize and alleviate suffering, and to stand up for underprivileged and inclusion. By embracing these principles daily, we honor the Buddha’s teachings and contribute to a more compassionate world.