Lesson video

Hello, my name's Miss Ramalli, and welcome to today's RE lesson, which forms part of our unit on Buddhist practises.

In today's lesson, we are going to be exploring the celebrations, the origins, and significance of Wesak and Parinirvana Day.

Okay, let's start today's lesson.

Today's lesson outcome is: I can explain the origins of celebrations such as Wesak and Parinirvana and the significance of these for Buddhists today.

To help us guide us through today's lesson, there are four keywords.

Our keywords are "festival," "Parinirvana Day," "retreat," and "Wesak." Festival is a day or period of celebration.

Parinirvana is a festival which marks the Buddha's death and when he achieved Nirvana.

Retreat is a period of time spent away from everyday life to focus on meditation and practise.

And Wesak is a Buddhist festival celebrating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death.

Today's lesson on celebrations, origins, and significance of Wesak and Parinirvana takes two parts.

So we are gonna begin by exploring the origins and significance of Wesak and then moving on to explore Parinirvana and retreats.

So first of all, we're gonna start by considering religious festivals that people might celebrate.

Can you identify the festivals from these photographs? With your partner, discuss what different festivals may be seen in these photographs.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Welcome back, everybody.

So first of all, we had the photograph showing the Muslim festival of Eid.

The second photograph shows the Harvest Festival celebrated by Christians.

The third photograph, well done if you identified that as the Hindu festival of Holi.

And lastly, the fourth photograph shows the Jewish festival of Purim.

So now I'd like you to have some more discussion.

I'd like you to consider, do you celebrate any festivals? And if you do, which festivals do you celebrate? And secondly, why might festivals be important to people? So again, with your partner, discuss those two questions.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to reflect on your answers.

Welcome back, everybody.

So I hope you enjoyed discussing those different festivals that you might celebrate.

So why might festivals be important to people? So perhaps, in your discussions, you identified that festivals might mark particular religious events or religious occasions.

They can be a time of celebration when people get together with family and friends.

Perhaps you said that religious festivals might mark a particular religious or historical event.

Fantastic.

Well done with your discussions.

In Buddhism, there are many different festivals.

Buddhist festivals are usually full of joy and celebration, although some can be more solemn.

They're a chance to meet and practise together with other Buddhists from the Sangha.

Some Buddhist festivals are specific to a certain school of Buddhism or country, and practises may vary between Buddhists.

However, all Buddhist festivals focus on the Buddha, his life, and his teachings.

Two important festivals in the Buddhist calendar are Wesak, often celebrated by Theravada Buddhists, and Parinirvana, which is frequently celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists.

Some Buddhists may also take part in retreats.

Jacob wants to learn about Wesak.

He interviews Niti, a Theravada Buddhist monk.

"What is the festival of Wesak, Niti?" Niti replies, "Wesak, also known as Buddha Day, is celebrated on the full moon during the month of Wesak.

In the UK, this typically falls in the month of May.

Wesak honours the Buddha's birth, his enlightenment, and his death or final Nirvana, his escape from suffering." Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

What does the festival of Wesak celebrate? A, the Buddha's death and when he achieved Nirvana; B, the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death; or C, the Buddha witnessing the Four Sights.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you selected B.

The Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death is what the festival of Wesak celebrates.

Alex asks, "How do you celebrate Wesak, Niti?" Niti tells us, "The monastery is the focal point for the Sangha during the festival of Wesak.

My day is filled with devotional practises.

This can include me leading or participating in chanting, meditation, and focusing on the Buddhist Dhamma, such as the Three Jewels.

I also attend the ceremony of bathing the Buddha." The bathing of the Buddha ceremony is often included during Wesak.

This ceremony involves water being poured over the shoulders of the Buddha.

It is significant because it reminds Buddhists to purify their own minds of the Three Poisons: greed, hatred, and ignorance.

Jacob wants to learn how lay Buddhists might celebrate Wesak.

So he interviews Linn, a Theravada Buddhist.

"How do you celebrate the festival of Wesak, Linn?" "Wesak is a special time for my family.

In preparation, we clean our home and decorate it with candles.

We visit our nearest temple and make offerings of gifts of food to the monks and nuns." Roshan is a Theravada Buddhist, and he explains his experience of celebrating Wesak: "Last year I went to Sri Lanka to visit my grandparents.

Our trip fell during the festival of Wesak.

Sri Lanka has a large Buddhist population, so the festival celebrations were amazing.

There were huge light installations depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha, and I could hear devotional songs to the Buddha being sung.

There were also stalls giving away free food.

Giving, generosity, and compassion are key Buddhist virtues." During Wesak, Buddhists might also participate in or attend processions, which lead towards the temple, and the creation of paper lanterns, which symbolise the light of enlightenment.

Niti and Linn discussed the significance of Wesak.

Niti says, "Wesak is significant to me because it reminds me of the importance of the life of the Buddha.

Listening to the Dhamma is a skillful action and gives insight." Linn says, "Wesak gives me and my family the opportunity to think about what we can learn from the Buddha's life and his teachings.

It is significant because we spend time celebrating with other Buddhists." Okay, let's pause and check you've understood what we've just heard.

Select three ways that Buddhists might celebrate Wesak: A, by attending the ceremony of bathing the Buddha; B, by visiting the temple; C, by praying to God; or D, by making offerings to the monks and nuns.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Well done if you selected A, B, and D.

Attending the ceremony of bathing the Buddha, visiting the temple, and making offerings to the monks and nuns are three ways that Buddhists might celebrate Wesak.

Okay, time to pause and complete our first practise task.

You need to explain two different ways in which Buddhists might celebrate Wesak.

Here is some guidance that you might find helpful to follow when answering the question.

So the question asks for two different ways.

So you need to make two points.

So begin by giving one way Buddhists might celebrate Wesak and then explain that first point with examples, and that will make sure that you develop your first point.

You then need to give a second way that Buddhists might celebrate Wesak, and remember to explain that second point with examples to develop your point.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Welcome back, everybody.

So you answered the question: explain two different ways in which Buddhists might celebrate Wesak.

Your response might be similar to this: One way Buddhists might celebrate Wesak is by going to the temple.

At the temple, Buddhists might participate in chanting, meditation, and focusing on the Buddhist Dhamma, for example, the Five Precepts.

Another way Buddhists might celebrate Wesak is by participating in the bathing the Buddha ceremony.

This ceremony reminds Buddhists to rid their minds of the Three Poisons: greed, hatred, and ignorance.

Well done on completing the first practise task.

So that moves us on to consider the origins and significance of Parinirvana and retreats.

Parinirvana Day is an annual festival celebrated in February.

It is observed by many Mahayana Buddhists.

Parinirvana Day is significant because it remembers the death of the Buddha and him achieving his final Nirvana.

The term "parinirvana" has its origins in the ancient Sanskrit language.

"para" meaning beyond or final, and "nirvana" meaning to blow out or extinguish.

So Parinirvana can translate to mean final Nirvana.

Alex wants to learn about Parinirvana, so he interviews Ting, a Mahayana Buddhist monk.

"Do you celebrate the festival of Parinirvana, Ting?" Ting replies, "Yes, I do celebrate Parinirvana Day.

However, it is more of a reflective festival than Wesak.

Parinirvana marks the Buddha's achieving of Nirvana.

When a Buddhist achieves Nirvana, he or she will not be reborn again, so no more suffering can be experienced." "Ting, how do you celebrate Parinirvana Day, and why is it significant?" Ting replies, "I spend much of the day meditating at the monastery.

Parinirvana Day is an opportunity for me to think about my immortality and death.

It is significant because I remember friends or relations who have recently died and reflect that death is a part of life.

I believe Nirvana can be achieved by anyone when all desire and suffering is gone." True or false? Parinirvana is celebrated by all Buddhists and marks the Buddha's birth.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you said that statement is false.

Parinirvana is a Mahayana festival which marks the Buddha's death and when he achieved Nirvana.

Alex wants to know how a lay Buddhist might celebrate Parinirvana.

He interviews Katrina, a Mahayana Buddhist: "How do you celebrate Parinirvana Day, Katrina?" Katrina responds, "I mark Parinirvana Day by going to the temple.

It is a social occasion, so I prepare food to take with me.

At the temple, I listen to readings, chant, meditate, and offer devotions to the Buddha together with other members of the Sangha." Alex asks, "What readings do you listen to, and why are they significant, Katrina?" Katrina replies, "On Parinirvana Day, I listen to readings from the Mahaparinirvana Sutta.

This is an important scripture that marks the Buddha's last days.

Passages from the Sutta are read by monks and nuns at the temple, or Buddhists might read this text and meditate at home.

This is a reminder of the Buddha's teachings on anicca, meaning impermanence, and anatta, meaning no fixed self." Katrina further explains how she celebrated Parinirvana Day.

"Last year, to mark Parinirvana Day, I went on a pilgrimage to Kushinagar in India.

This is believed to be the site of the Buddha's death.

I visited the temple and gave thanks to the Buddha.

Some years I go on a retreat where I spend time practising samatha and vipassana meditation, deepening my understanding of the Dhamma and reflecting on its significance to my life." Retreats play a vital role in Buddhism.

They can be practised individually or with others.

It is about setting aside time to reflect and deepen understanding of the Dhamma.

It is important for a Buddhist's spiritual development.

Retreats are held throughout the year.

They can be both solitary and in communal environments.

The tradition of retreating during Vassa, the rainy season, began when the Buddha instructed wandering monks to remain in one place during this period.

As a result, it has become customary to observe retreats during Vassa.

So what do retreats offer? A period of time spent away from everyday life.

An opportunity for extended meditation.

Time to study and learn rituals.

Time to deepen understanding of the Dhamma and a chance to come together as a community.

Retreats also offer spiritual development.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Select two reasons retreats are important in Buddhism: A, they help Buddhists to deepen their understanding of the Dhamma; B, they help Buddhists to avoid meditation; or C, they help Buddhists to come together as a community.

Remember, for this check for understanding, you need to select two reasons.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Well done if you selected A and C.

Two reasons retreats are important in Buddhism is 'cause they help Buddhists to deepen their understanding of the Dhamma and they help Buddhists to come together as a community.

So, time to complete our second and final practise task.

Here we have the statement: "Parinirvana Day should be the main festival for all Buddhists." In your answer, you should refer to Buddhist teachings and give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view.

Alex has written the first part of this answer.

You need to provide an alternative view.

So Alex has said: "Some Buddhists might disagree because Buddhism is diverse, and it is impossible that one festival should be for all Buddhists.

Also, Buddhists shouldn't be concerned with festivals, as following the Dhamma should be the main focus." So remember, you are looking to provide an alternative view to Alex's.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

So we have the statement: "Parinirvana Day should be the main festival for all Buddhists." And you needed to provide an alternative view to the one that Alex had given.

Your answer may include these points: Some Buddhists would agree with this statement because Parinirvana Day is the main festival for Mahayana Buddhists.

It celebrates the Buddha's passing into final Nirvana.

Achieving Nirvana is the ultimate aim for most Buddhists.

Therefore, Parinirvana Day should be the main festival.

Parinirvana Day is also a time to reflect on one's own mortality and the Buddha's teachings on anicca and anatta, which are core beliefs in Buddhism.

Well done on completing the second and final practise task for today's lesson.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on the celebrations, origins, and significance of Wesak and Parinirvana Day.

Here is a summary of our key learning points: Wesak is a Buddhist festival celebrating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death.

Buddhists might celebrate the festival by decorating their homes with lights, visit the temple, and making offerings to the monks and nuns.

Parinirvana Day is celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists and marks the Buddha's death and attaining Nirvana.

Parinirvana is significant for Buddhists to reflect on their own immortality and the Buddha's teachings on impermanence.

And lastly, some Buddhists may attend retreats for spiritual development.

Thank you very much for joining me for today's RE lesson.

Goodbye.