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March 29, 2024, 09:02:11 am

Author Topic: SOR Buddhism Wesak Essay Marking Please?  (Read 5001 times)  Share 

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sophia_02

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SOR Buddhism Wesak Essay Marking Please?
« on: October 21, 2019, 08:56:30 pm »
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Hi there!

So I was just wondering, can someone please mark my essay for Buddhism Wesak for a past HSC Question? I would really like someone's feedback to check whether I am on the right track or not (a mark out of 20 will also be highly appreciated!).

Thanks in advance!
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Sacred sites are a reminder that the Buddha helps us to be a better person and validates the importance of the Three Jewels to the world.                                                     DHARMA YATRA

We reverence the Buddha…we reverence the Dharma…We reverence the Sangha…and aspire to follow it. The fellowship of those who tread the Way. As, one by one, we make our own commitment, An ever-widening circle, the Sangha grows.                     THE THREEFOLD PUJA

...we offer candles. To him, who is the Light; we offer light. From his greater lamp, a lesser lamp we light within us: the lamp of Bodhi shining within our hearts.              THE THREEFOLD PUJA

With specific reference to one or more of the above quotations, explain how ONE significant practice assists adherents to become better people. In your reference, refer to ONE of the following:
⧫ Pilgrimage ⧫ Temple Puja ⧫ Wesak

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Wesak or “Buddha Day” is the most important festival celebrated by Buddhists around the world, to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, death, and his enlightenment. It is celebrated annually on the full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha, which usually falls in May, or in early June. The festival represents everything it means to be a Buddhist - it is a celebration whereby adherents are reminded of the significance of Buddha’s teachings and his life. By reminding adherents of the Buddha’s teachings which strives towards compassion, kindness, goodwill towards both the individual and the community, Wesak assists adherents to become better people  - therefore making Wesak the most meaningful of Buddhist festivals.

Throughout Wesak, the teachings of the Three Jewels, or the Triple Gem of Buddhism, which includes the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, are reaffirmed by the Buddhist community, both collectively and individually. The Three Jewels are the fundamental beliefs of Buddhism, and by proclaiming to be a Buddhist, adherents accept to “...reverence the Buddha....reverence the Dharma...reverence the Sangha, and aspire to follow it.” Hence, adherents show “reverence” to the Three Jewels through puja. During puja, adherents “...offer candles” and flowers to statues of Buddha, either at their personal homes, or at gathering at various Buddhist temples celebrating Wesak. Since candles burn out, and flowers wither away, it teaches adherents the impermanence (Anicca) of life, and reinforces the cycle of rebirth, Samsara. It reminds adherents to perform good deeds to achieve liberation from Samsara and reach enlightenment. Puja is significant for both the individual, and the community as it allows Buddhists the opportunity to express their respect for The Three Jewels, and reminds Buddhists that in order to attain enlightenment they must do good deeds, hence assisting them to be better people.

The special ceremony of “bathing the Buddha” also takes place during Wesak. For the bathing ceremony, the altar is decorated with flowers to represent the Garden of Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. During the ceremony, fragrant water is poured over a statue of infant Buddha, who has his right forefinger pointed upwards and left forefinger pointed downwards, three times. This particular statue embodies the enlightened presence of the Buddha and the water being poured thrice represents the Three Jewels. The ritual symbolises the purification of our body, speech, and thoughts, which is an important aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path. This is done in order to remove greed, anger, and ignorance and cleanse the mind so that good deeds and wisdom can be cultivated. The true meaning of the bathing ritual is that “it’s easy to wash away physical dirt, but much more difficult to cleanse one’s inner impurity of greed, anger and ignorance”. The ceremony demonstrates the following and adherence of the whole noble eightfold path which is essential for attaining enlightenment, hence assisting Buddhist adherents to become better people.

Adherents are encouraged to participate in the act of giving during Wesak, such as charity donations to those in need; this is seen as a way to spread happiness and consider others. It teaches adherents to not be swayed or tempted by materialistic desires and demonstrates the teaching of removing oneself from items that cause suffering, that clouds the mind and hinders one’s progress from attaining enlightenment - the main goal of Buddhism. This particular act also emphasises the teachings of the Eightfold Path, specifically “samma sati” which is “right mindfulness”, hence putting aside greed, and letting the mind remain focused on its goal. Buddhists are also recommended to donate blood, and help others as much as possible during this period of time. This expresses the Buddhist belief of displaying compassion and kindness to all beings, as the Dalai Lama said - “Compassion...is essential to human survival.” This assists the Buddhist community to become better people, as it allows them to come together and help those in need (such as the elderly, the poor, or the disabled) and further demonstrate the teachings of Budhha.

There are also other small yet important common rituals that Buddhist follow during Wesak. This includes refraining from eating meat, and remaining vegetarian throughout the day, in order to observe the first of the Five Precepts - “To abstain from harming other living beings.” Adherents also engage in prayers and quiet contemplation at their nearest temple, in order to reflect on the errors and wrongdoings of their year, and strive to be better in the coming year. During this period, devotees are encouraged to wear white, as white symbolises purity. Additionally, the Buddhist Flag is also raised on this day, in honour of the Buddha’s birthday. Adherents are also allowed to participate is other celebrations such as the candle procession, but are cautioned as to not get carried away in too much indulgence in anything, as the Five Precepts state, “that might cloud the mind.” Hence, by engaging in these small but crucial rituals that reinforce the Buddha’s teachings, adherents are assisted in being a better person

To conclude, Wesak reinforces the fundamentals of Buddhism (The Three Jewels), encourages adherents to perform good deeds like charity or donating blood, and perform rituals that demonstrates the teachings of the Buddha, all of which assists Buddhist devotees to be their best self.