MEDITATION ON MEDITATION

MEDITATION – BUDDAH’S OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY IS MAY 25

In Nepal, Buddha’s birthday is celebrated on the full moon day of May. In 2015, the holiday occurs on May 25. The festival is known by various names, Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Vaishakh Purnima and Vesak. Purnima means full moon day in Sanskrit.

Buddha Purnima or  Tathagata is celebrated in India, especially in Sikkim, Ladakh. Arunachal Pradesh, Bodh Gaya,  various parts of North Bengal such as Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Kurseong and Maharashtra -73% of total Indian Buddhist  stay- and other parts of India as per Indian calendar. Buddhist People go to common  Viharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhist sutra, as something like a service. The usual dress is pure white.  Non-vegetarian food is normally avoided. Kheer, a sweet rice porridge is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who, in Gautama Buddha’s life, offered the Buddha a bowl of milk  Porridge.  Informally called “Buddha’s Birthday”, it actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha in the Theravada tradition.

WHATEVER YOUR RELIGION,  BUDDHISM IS A PHILOSOPHY WHERE MEDITATION IS A VERY STRONG FEATURE – LOVE THE NOTION  OR LOATHE IT – THERE’S SURE TO BE SOMEWHERE YOU CAN AT LEAST  TRY IT IF YOU FANCY A GO AT THIS DISCIPLINE.  AND SINCE THIS POEM WAS WRITTEN (2007) THE WRITER HAS FOUND THERE’S A LOT THAT CAN GO ON IN THE MIND OF  A PERSON WHO FINDS TIME TO SEEK INSPIRATION, HARMONY WITH SURROUNDINGS AND  FREEDOM OF THOUGHT PROCESSES….AND MEDITATION CAN BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH YOUR ROUTINE FORM OF WORSHIP OR FAITH AND  CAN INDEED BE A COMPLIMENT TO IT. EXPLORE….

Find yourself in a glowing incandescent golden light

As you meditate in the morning, afternoon or night

Bring to mind the Buddha’s words of wisdom

And if you like choose a mantra you can hum

Select a place which you can bring to mind

And a time when you were happy – including if its now – to yourself be kind

Keep yourself comfortable and warm

Sit in a position where you can shelter from life’s storm

Let the words of the meditation lull you into harmony with life

Keep concentrating  and body scanning and escape from worries and strife

When you come round from your meditative state

Be happy and composed and look once more at the Buddha ornate

With flowers, incense, candles and other things

And think of the happiness your meditation brings.

SATURN HERALD STAFF WRITER