On the 26 of May, Plum Village centers around the world organized ceremonies to celebrate Vesak day. On this day we commemorate the birth of Prince Siddhartha, his enlightenment when he became known as Gautama Buddha, and his death known as parinirvana.
The Buddha is a flower of humanity who practiced the Way for countless lives. He appeared on this Earth as a prince who left his royal palace to practice at the foot of the Bodhi tree. He conquered illusion. When the morning star arose, he realized the great path of awakening and turned the wheel of the Dharma.
Celebrating Vesak day reminds us to continue walking on the spiritual path that the Buddha founded, to cultivate the capacity of love and understanding, and to live happily in the present moment.
Many Plum Village centers are closed now because of Covid-19 but some Plum Village centers in the United State luckily could receive vaccinated guests to join the ceremony.
Please enjoy photos of the ceremony from Plum Village monasteries around the world.
You can read the meaningful Vesak message 2013 from Thich Nhat Hanh here and read his account of the Buddha’s life in the book Old Path, White Clouds.
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany”Today we bathe the Tathagata. Deep wisdom and clarity bring great happiness. May all living beings who are overwhelmed by suffering See the Dharmakaya in this very world.” 
“The Fully Enlightened One, beautifully seated, peaceful and smiling, a living source of understanding and compassion.” 
At Plum Village in France., the happiness to come to the ceremony of brothers, sisters,… 
Happiness of lay friends joining the ceremony. 
“Incense perfumes the atmosphere. A lotus blooms and the Buddha appears. The world of suffering and discrimination is filled with the light of the rising sun… 
… As the dust of fear and anxiety settles, with open heart, one-pointed mind, I turn to the Three Jewels.” 
The community invoking the name of the Shakyamuni Buddha while walking to the Buddha garden. 
“The path of mindful living, leading to healing, joy, and enlightenment, the way of peace.” 
Bathing a baby Buddha as we bathe the seeds of awakening within us. 
“The loving and supportive community of practice, realizing harmony, awareness, and liberation.” 
Brothers and sisters offered a Indonesian choir to praise the appearance of the Buddha in the world. 
The community in Deer Park Monastery doing sitting in the ceremony 
Deer Park Monastery 
Deer Park Monastery 
Deer Park Monastery 
Brother Phap Huy gave a talk before the bathing Buddha ceremony in the Magnolia Grove Monastery. 
Magnolia Grove Monastery 
Magnolia Grove Monastery 
The community bathing a baby Buddha – Magnolia Grove Monastery 
A baby joining bathing baby Buddha – Magnolia Grove Monastery 
Magnolia Grove Monastery 
Sister bathing the Buddha nature in herself. – Magnolia Grove Monastery 
Children also joining bathing baby Buddha – Magnolia Grove Monastery 
Monastic brothers and sisters in Paris centers did the ceremony to celebrate the Vesak day. 
A sister in Paris center bathed the baby Buddha 
A brother in Paris center bathed the baby Buddha 
Monastic brothers and sisters in Paris centers 
Celebration Vesak day in Thailand Plum Village Practice Center 
Celebration Vesak day in Thailand Plum Village Practice Center 
Thailand Plum Village Practice Center 
Thailand Plum Village Practice Center 
Thailand Plum Village Practice Center 
Thailand Plum Village Practice Center 
Blue Cliff Monastery 
Blue Cliff Monastery 
Blue Cliff Monastery 
Blue Cliff Monastery 
Blue Cliff Monastery 
Blue Cliff Monastery 
Blue Cliff Monastery 
Stream Entering Monastery in Australia 
Stream Entering Monastery in Australia 
Stream Entering Monastery in Australia 
Stream Entering Monastery in Australia 
Stream Entering Monastery in Australia 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany 
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany
[Disclaimer: The images that have been posted may show members of the community physically close and not wearing masks within the boundaries of Plum Village. This is because the whole community has been closed to the public and have been living in confinement since March 2020 and therefore the risk of transmitting the Covid virus to each other is very low.
More information is here.]
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