reflections on wesak

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Wesak Commemorates the

* The Birth of The Buddha* His Enlightenment* His Passing Away

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Siddhartha was born in Lumbini in 623 B.C.on a Wesak Full Moon Day

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Receiving an excellent education, he married and had a son.

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At 29, realizing the fleeting and unsatisfactory nature of life, he left the palace in search of Peace and Truth.

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This historic renunciation was born out of This historic renunciation was born out of compassion for the suffering compassion for the suffering

of all beings in Samsara.of all beings in Samsara.

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For 6 long years Siddhartha struggled on a course of arduous mental training.

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On a Wesak Full Moon Day, at 35 years

of age, Siddhartha obtained perfect Enlightenment.

9EnlightenmentEnlightenment

Enlightenment – The Unconditioned State of Perfect Peace, Happiness and Freedom

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For 45 years, the Buddha expounded

The Dhamma.

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The Buddha Preached The Four Noble Truths

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The First Noble Truth:The First Noble Truth:Suffering or The UnsatisfactorySuffering or The Unsatisfactory

Nature of Conditioned Nature of Conditioned Existence.Existence.

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The Second Noble The Second Noble Truth :Truth :

The Cause of Suffering,The Cause of Suffering,which is Cravingwhich is Craving

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The Third Noble Truth:The Third Noble Truth:The End of Suffering,The End of Suffering,

which is Nibbanawhich is Nibbana

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The Fourth Noble Truth:The Fourth Noble Truth:The Noble Eightfold Path The Noble Eightfold Path

leading to leading to the end of Sufferingthe end of Suffering

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Noble 8-Fold PathNoble 8-Fold Path

1. Right View or1. Right View orRight Right

UnderstandingUnderstanding

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Noble 8-Fold PathNoble 8-Fold Path

2. Right Thought2. Right Thought

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Noble 8-Fold PathNoble 8-Fold Path

3. Right Speech3. Right Speech

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Noble 8-Fold PathNoble 8-Fold Path

4. Right Action4. Right Action

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Noble 8-Fold PathNoble 8-Fold Path

5. Right Livelihood5. Right Livelihood

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Noble 8-Fold PathNoble 8-Fold Path

6. Right Effort6. Right Effort

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Noble 8-Fold PathNoble 8-Fold Path

7. Right Mindfulness7. Right Mindfulness

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Noble 8-Fold PathNoble 8-Fold Path

8. Right 8. Right ConcentrationConcentration

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With compassion and wisdom, the Buddha diligently With compassion and wisdom, the Buddha diligently worked for the good and happiness of Mankind.worked for the good and happiness of Mankind.

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At His final hour of death, at 80, At His final hour of death, at 80, He addressed His disciples:He addressed His disciples:

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“Ripe is My age, short is My life, leaving you I shall go. I have made Myself My Refuge.

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“Be diligent, mindful and extremely virtuous. With thoughts collected, guard your mind.”

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“In this Doctrine and Discipline, by living arduously, you will escape the cycle of rebirth and

put an end to suffering.”

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“Think not that you have no

Teacher after My death. Regard the

Dhamma and Vinaya I have taught you as

your Teacher.”

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“He who practices My Teaching best

serves Me most.He who sees the Dhamma sees

Me.”

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“Subject to change are all component things.Strive on with Diligence.”

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It was on a Wesak Full Moon Day, more than 2550 years ago, that the Supreme Buddha, our

Great Teacher, passed into Parinibbana.

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With Metta,Bro. Oh Teik Bin

May this Thrice-Sacred

Day Bring Peace and Happiness To All Of You!