Vesak -- Buddha's Birthday

On this annual celebration (on certain lunar calendars), the events of Gautama Buddha’s birthday, enlightenment, and death are commemorated.  Siddhartha Gautama, the Shakyamuni Buddha in our history, was said to be born during this springtime Full Moon in Lumbini, Nepal (maybe 480 BCE, give or take).  Later, it was said that his historically important Enlightenment 35 years later happened on this same Full Moon in the same springtime month of Vesak.  And, according to further legend, 45 years later, after a full lifetime of fruitful teaching, Gautama died at age 80 on a Full Moon in this same springtime month of Vesak. 

I don’t know if all these Full Moon stories line up convincingly, but I do know that I certainly love to celebrate all Full Moons.  Anyway, Happy Birthday, Siddhartha, you psychologically adept and phenomenally insightful Buddha guy!  Thanks for imparting such incomparable wisdom! 

-Zenwind. 

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