The Dead Cockroach: Happy Vesak 2013

For the uninitiated, Vesak Day is to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha.

It rained rather heavily on Vesak morning but that did not dampen our spirits to visit the Singapore Buddhist Youth Mission at Clementi.

The rain turned into a drizzle upon our arrival and I realized that there is something very different this year compared to previous years. The bazaar which used to be built on the road right in front of the temple's entrance was now built at the court beside it instead.

From what I observed, this arrangement effectively ease the traffic - both vehicular and human. The endless crowd of devotees going into the temple no longer have to jostle with those browsing at the bazaar.

The freed-up space also meant that vehicles could drive all the way in and u-turn their way out instead of making 3-point turns on the stretch of narrow road and endangering all the people walking on the road.

First thing we did was to offer an incense to the Bodhisattvas at the main hall and lighting a candle for our family's well-being. After which, we proceeded to the bazaar to bathe the Buddha.

I think the reason for bathing the Buddha is to remind us that it is simple to wash away physical dirt but much more difficult to cleanse one's inner dirt of greed, anger and ignorance.

I could be wrong here so do correct me.