祝福大家衛塞節快樂！
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今天是五月第一個月圓日，在南傳佛教當中，這個日子有個特別的名稱叫「衛塞節」（Vesak），Vesak意喻為「月圓」，是為了紀念釋迦牟尼佛誕辰、成道、涅槃所設立。ㄧ般每年的衛塞節日期並不固定，但一般來說，會把日期訂定為陽曆五月的第一個月圓日。
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衛塞節都做些什麼呢？
亞洲一些佛教信仰國家，如新加坡、馬來西亞、印度尼西亞、柬埔寨、泰國、斯里蘭卡，都將衛塞節訂定為假期，而且每年到了這一天，大多佛像也都要重新裝飾一番，並且舉辦盛大的慶祝活動：比方說浴佛、禮佛誦經、祈福、繞行寺廟祝禱，或者行善賑濟貧苦的活動，甚至是花車遊行、音樂、舞蹈……等等。
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慶祝活動的壓軸是在街道上進行的燭光遊行。不同的國家、地區，都有其各自的慶祝方式，使這個值得慶賀的日子，增添了更多和平、吉祥的意味。
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祝福大家在這一天都能月圓人團圓，幸福又快樂！！
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Vesak day
Today is the first full-moon of May. According to the Theravada Buddhist tradition, this special day is called the Vesak Day. Vesak means full moon; It is the day to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of Sakyamuni Buddha. The actual day of Vesak Day is not a fixed day in the calendar. However, it usually falls on the first fill-moon day of May.
What do we do on Vesak Day?
Some Asian countries that include Buddhism as a religion like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand and Sri-Lanka designate Vesak Day as a public holiday. On this day, most of the Buddha statues are decorated, together with hosting of grand celebratory events including bathing of the Buddha, chanting, praying for blessings, circumambulating the temples and do charitable acts for the unfortunate. There may also be music, dance and parades.
The main attraction would usually be the parade of lights along the main thoroughfare of the city. Different countries and regions have various ways of celebrations, adding to the aura of peace and auspiciousness of the day.
Wishing all on Vesak Day, a day of reunion, like the full-moon, and be blessed with happiness!!
#VesakDay, #BuddhistFestival, #Celebration
#衛塞節、#佛教節日、#慶典