How the Digital Revolution is Shaping the Practice of Buddhism Today

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Buddhism, one of the world’s oldest spiritual traditions, emphasizes mindfulness, compassion, and the pursuit of enlightenment. As technology rapidly transforms human societies, it is essential to explore how these advancements intersect with Buddhist principles. This article delves into the relationship between Buddhism and technology, examining both the benefits and challenges that arise from their convergence. Historical Context Historically, Buddhism has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to various cultural and technological changes. From the oral transmission of teachings to the written scriptures on palm leaves and, later, printed books, Buddhism has continuously embraced new methods to disseminate its wisdom. Today, the digital age presents a new frontier for the spread and practice of Buddhism. Technology Enhancing Buddhist Practice Digital Dharma The internet has become a powerful tool for spreading Buddhist teachings globally. Websites, blogs, online courses, and social med...
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The importance of Vesak, the great festival of Buddhists



Among the main religious festivals celebrated by the Buddhist people, Vesak has a prominent place. On that day, the Buddhist people around the world celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha, and engage in various types of religious ceremonies. This article is written to explain the importance of Vesak Pohoya because many other important events have taken place on Vesak Pohoya in addition to Lord Buddha's three days.


The main reason why the Buddhist people celebrate the Vesak day in a very grand manner is that the birth of Prince Siddhartha, Buddhahood, and the passing of the Buddha took place on a Vesak full moon day. Bosath, who was born as Prince Siddhartha in Lumbini Sal Garden, left the lay house at the age of 29 after becoming disillusioned with life.


After that, despite 6 years of hard work, he was not able to attain enlightenment. But after that, the Bodhisattva abandoned Attha Kilamatanu Yoga and Kama Sukhallikanu Yoga and followed the Madhya Pratipada. After some time, he attained enlightenment at the root of the Asatu Bo tree in Bodh Gaya. Having attained enlightenment in this way, Lord Buddha spent 45 years working for the well-being of the people of the world.At the age of 80, our Lord Buddha, who worked for the welfare of the people of the world, passed away in the garden of Malla kings in Kusinara.


The ascetic Sumedha received definitive commentary from Dipankara Buddha 


Lord Buddha was born in one incarnation as a young man named Sumedha in a wealthy family. But when Sumedha was young, his parents died. After that, the one who controlled the money of Sumedha's parents said that this is the wealth of your father, mother, and grandfather and gave him a huge amount of wealth. When his parents and grandfather died, he did not take even a single gold jar.


That's why the young Sumedha, who understood the reality of life, distributed all the wealth to the people and meditated as an ascetic. After that, one day when the ascetic Sumedha was travelling, a group of people in a village were preparing a road. At that time the ascetic Sumedha came to know that Deepankara Buddha was preparing the way to grow up. That day Sumedha Ascetic asked for a part of the road to be paved and he got a difficult part full of mud pits.


Even though Sumedha ascetic worked hard to prepare the road, not a single mud hole had been filled by the time of Dipankara Buddha's visit. At that time, Thausa, who covered his body in mud, asked the Buddha to walk over his body. On that day, Sumedha Tausa, after completing Viryaya Paramita, Dipankara received the final commentary from Buddha on Vesak day.


Seeing the pathologic image of the four portents


After seeing the four omens, Prince Siddhartha left the laity to save the world from suffering. Prince Siddhartha saw the diseased image from the four omens that he saw on a Vesak full moon day. Accordingly, it is also included among the important events that happened on Vesak day.


Presentation of "Yama Maha Pelahara". 

Ten months after the Buddha became enlightened, he visited his hometown, Kimbulwat Pura. "Yama Maha Pelahara" was performed on a Vesak day in order to get rid of the greed in the relatives of Lord Buddha during that journey.


Ananda Thero passed away


Lord Ananda acted as the chief attendant of Lord Buddha. After the Buddha's parinirvana, Ananda Maharahat, who lived in the middle of the Rohini River, passed away after 120 years of life on a Vesak day.


The incident of Lord Buddha's third visit to Sri Lanka 


After 8 years of attaining enlightenment, Lord Buddha came to Kalaniya at the invitation of Naga King Manyakheta on a Vesak day. On the same day, at the invitation of God Sumana Saman, the Buddha went to Samanala Mountain and spent the day there.


Prince Vijaya's visit to Ceylon 


Seven hundred people, including Prince Vijaya, came to Sri Lanka on the day of Vesak, when Lord Buddha passed away. King Vijaya who arrived in this way was later anointed as the first king of Sri Lanka with the help of Kuveni.




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