Buddha’s weeks of enlightenment — Commemorating Wesak
Having arrived at several Buddhist motifs during this month of Wesak, a word of wisdom from the translated Pali scripts that detail the life of the Buddha that I’ve often mused about. The Buddha spent several weeks after enlightenment performing rites of gratitude to the elements of nature that guided his spiritual ascent.
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These rites are often creatively depicted on wesak lanterns and pandolas in the form of religious arts erected in towns, cities, cafes and wherever-you-look. These rites are also integrated within Buddhist cultural societies in real time, as we practice similar rituals to follow the path of the buddha, in honour of our own spiritual nature.
Gazing at the Tree
During the second week, in thanks and gratitude to the tree that had sheltered him during his struggle for Buddhahood, the Buddha stood without moving his eyes as he meditated on the bodhi tree.
Following this example, it is the custom of Buddhists to pay respect to not only the original bodhi tree, but also to the descendants of the bodhi tree that still thrive today.
