Vesak message

by Most Ven. Dr. M. Vajiragnana Nayaka Thera Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain and Head of the London Buddhist Vihara

During the Vesak season we notice an unparalleled devotion working in everyone's mind. Even those who are not religiously minded at other times pay great heed to organise themselves in some form of spiritual life. It is not a day for parties but a time to contemplate on the sublime goodness of the Buddha and his teaching.

The Buddha was able to perceive the goodness and potential of man to be perfect and to improve human dignity. As a unique teacher he encouraged full freedom of thought which it is necessary for man's emancipation.

We have to make use of that freedom to realise that the potentiality is within every one of us to be better, to be ennobled, to overcome our weaknesses, and to experience the highest happiness and peace. Some have even the strength to transcend human limitations and become superhuman.

Human life is the most valuable of all forms of lives. It is almost sacred and it provides us with unique experiences, both mundane and supra-mundane. The Buddha said, "Rare is the birth as a human being. ". We are fortunate to be born as human beings and we must cherish and guide this precious opportunity, to gain the highest benefit out of it without making ourselves a burden to the world.

We must use our intelligence and potential to protect all forms of life and environment, to enhance the quality of life and contribute to the well-being of human society. The Buddha has shown us a clear and direct method to develop human qualities. Although others can assist us in our endeavour by providing certain external conditions, remember that the actual work must be done by ourselves. Others can show the path, but we must walk the way.

How can we find the Buddha? The Buddha said: "Any person who sees the Dhamma sees the Buddha; any person who sees not the Dhamma sees not the Buddha; one who sees not the Dhamma, though he grasp at the robe of the Buddha and hold it fast, cannot be said to see the Buddha."

We must contemplate during Vesak on the timeless message of the Buddha to mankind which aims at developing universal love and compassion, wisdom and moral discipline, treating all beings with love and fairness, the attainment of the Ultimate Truth of Nibbana.

"By oneself, indeed, is evil done; by oneself is one defiled. By oneself, indeed, is one purified. Purity and impurity depend on oneself. No one purifies another." (Dhammapada 165)

05 May 1997

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