Recently, the Embassy of Sri Lanka held a cultural festival called Vesak in the presence of the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa. The ambassador’s residence was accentuated by colorful traditional candles that brightened the day. The snow white tent made a color match with the white clothes worn by the Sri Lankan community in Addis including the ambassador himself. Eye candy decorations and melodious traditional music played softly electrified attendees to the extent of making them feel as if they were in heaven.
In the program held in Addis, children, youngsters, and members of the diplomatic community residing in Addis Ababa arrived and eagerly waited for the program to start, sitting in the salon of the ambassador’s residence. The mouthwatering traditional Sri Lankan dishes arrayed lent flavor to the event. The dishes I tasted soon after the program helped me learn a bit about Sri Lanka without physically going there. I realized the commonalities between the dishes of the two countries after I went for the spicy foods that resembled ours.
Without delay, a lady donning a white costume came to the podium to introduce the whole program and invited Ambassador K.K. Theshantha Kumarasiri to make opening remarks. He explained that the event was meant to mark the International Day of Vesak, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly and celebrated in many countries around the world, especially in South Asian and East Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. A multitude of other countries also celebrate Vesak.
Vesak marks the day when Buddha was born as a prince and attained enlightenment. He understood the supreme truth of the world and introduced a philosophy about life. Buddha taught that life is inherently full of suffering and explained how to overcome this suffering.
Buddhists believe in rebirth, where individuals may be reborn as different beings, leading to continued suffering. Buddha provided a solution by introducing a path to enlightenment, a state of mind called Nibbana, where one purifies one’s mind and eliminates hatred and ill will. This path, known as the middle path, has helped millions of people achieve enlightenment and end the cycle of rebirth and suffering.
The light festival is celebrated to honor Buddha, who showed us a new way to parry pain. Buddhists celebrate this festival to show respect to Lord Buddha for providing a new path in life. In today’s world, where many people are suffering, we promote the middle path as a way to realistically analyze life, find solutions, help one another, and foster compassion and love. This is the message we are promoting through this festival.
“The main purpose of this festival is to introduce the culture to Ethiopians, our friends around the world, and showcase what we have to offer. It is a platform where we share our knowledge, experiences, and remedies for the conflicts in the world, as the world is currently polarized and many people are marginalized.”
There are numerous individuals suffering due to climate change, political conflict, and various other reasons. Therefore, we must find solutions to these problems by creating goodwill, offering compassion to others, extending a helping hand, and providing wisdom to address these issues realistically. This is the true meaning of the festival.
In every philosophy and religion, the fundamentals are similar, with additional segments added over time, such as rituals influenced by climate conditions, region, and cultural factors. Despite these variations, the fundamental principles of love and liberation from suffering are consistent across religions like Christianity, Islam and Buddhism.
I have witnessed many religious festivals in this country, such as the large gatherings near churches every Sunday where thousands of people march to worship God and Jesus Christ.
Ethiopia’s cultural, religious, and geographical diversity is evident, but the Christian religion serves as a unifying force in this predominantly Christian country. Religion plays a significant role in bringing people together, fostering harmony and unity, which is truly remarkable and something I have come to appreciate during my time here. The harmonious society in Ethiopia, where people embrace each other despite differences, is truly inspiring and has been a valuable lesson for me.
All the lanterns showcased in the event were created by Sri Lankans living and working in Ethiopia, some of whom work in the Hawasa Industrial Park. Last year, we also celebrated this lantern festival, with all the lanterns made by Sri Lankans working here.
Additionally, a few lanterns were made by my embassy staff. The illuminated lanterns symbolize the teachings of the Buddha, representing the wisdom he shared that has liberated millions of people from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
Ultimately, they signify satisfaction and the liberation of life, reflecting the Buddha’s teachings of new wisdom. These colors and illuminations pay homage to the Buddha and his teachings that offer liberation.
Born in India and ordained in Sri Lanka, there was a special guest at the celebration. Reverend Bhikkhu Mahenda is a revered Buddhist monk whose journey from a successful career spanning various fields of study and practice, such as finance and engineering, to a life devoted to meditation and mindfulness, has captivated audiences worldwide.
During his time in Ethiopia, Reverend Bhikkhu Mahenda shared his wisdom. He discussed the Indic system’s perspective, which includes multiple types of meditation. In fact, there are three main types of meditation.
The first type is called Samatha meditation, which is a way to calm the mind and observe its impurities. This practice is known by different names in various countries, such as Dhyana in India, Yoga, and Samadhi, Dhyana in Sri Lanka, Dhyana in Pali tradition, Chan in China, and Zen in Japan. Despite the different names, the underlying principle remains the same – calming the mind to gain insight.
The purpose of calming meditation is to look within oneself and address impurities like greed, hatred, and delusion. By calming the mind, one can observe these impurities and develop strategies to eliminate them. While calming meditation can reduce apparent impurities like anger, depression, and anxiety disorders, it is not enough to completely eliminate them. The ultimate goal, as taught by Lord Buddha, is achieved through the second level of meditation called Vipassana.
Vipassana, a Sanskrit word meaning “sees in a special way,” involves looking at life from the perspective of three characteristics: impermanence, suffering, and non-self. By understanding and accepting these truths, one can remove impurities from the mind gradually. This meditation requires mindfulness and critical insights into the nature of existence.
The third type of meditation, Brahmavihara or divine abodes, focuses on cultivating loving-kindness, compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity. These qualities help purify the mind by eliminating hatred and fostering positive emotions towards oneself and others. Practicing these meditations can lead to a greater sense of peace and well-being.
Reverend Bhikkhu Mahenda emphasizes the importance of regular practice and patience in achieving the benefits of meditation. While it may take time to see significant changes, the key is to start walking on the path towards self-discovery and inner peace. By incorporating these meditative practices into daily life, individuals can develop a greater sense of awareness and compassion towards themselves and others.
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 21 JULY 2024
