Quiet reflections on Vesak Day

With the ongoing pandemic and Singapore under Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) (P2HA), faith and spirituality continue to play a role in helping students to ease their anxieties and to seek solace. Metta Ong, an Executive Committee member of NUS Buddhist Society (NUSBS) tells us how her student organisation will be celebrating Vesak Day in the light of COVID-19 measures.

OSA: How did NUSBS celebrate Vesak Day in the past?

Metta Ong (MO): Vesak day is a time where people of the faith will remind themselves of the role of spirituality in our lives – as a guiding principle for our daily lives or a philosophy for decision making. In the past, NUSBS members will visit different temples to celebrate the occasion.

Some places hold mass chanting events as an opportunity for attendees to refresh their understanding of the teachings, thereby glimpsing new insights. Others have meditation retreats, making use of the holiday to find some peace in the hectic lifestyle we lead. By observing how different people of the faith practice, it remind themselves of their decision to live in accordance with the teachings, these experiences will hopefully inspire us to work out what spirituality means to us.

OSA: What can NUSBS members look forward to on Vesak Day this year?

MO: Since temples are closed during P2HA, we will be joining an online activity instead called The Great Metta Sit. It‘s challenging to have the discipline to sit and calm ourselves down, so it easier for many of us to do it as a group. On the morning of Vesak Day, we will be joining participants from all around the world to partake in a guided online meditation. This gives everyone a chance to start Vesak Day with a calm and peaceful mind.