Magha Puja is an important Buddhist festival that falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month in February or March. It is also known as a day of love for Buddhists as it commemorates the day when the Buddha showed his love for mankind. His love is merciful and sincere wishes for the good of all beings. He struggled to propagate his religion until the end of his life for 45 years because he wished for the good of all beings and wanted them to have access to the path of inner happiness.
On this day, 1,250 enlightened monks from different parts of India spontaneously gathered to pay homage to the Buddha, without any prior arrangement. The Buddha gave them a discourse known as the Ovada Patimokkha, which contains the Buddhism’s ideology, moral standards, and conduct.
The ideology has 4 points.
1) Patient. even if you get suffering, you don’t make any sin by doing, speaking, and thinking.
2) Don’t harm or kill anyone.
3) Practice oneself to be peaceful.
4) Nirvana is the state of supreme happiness and the ultimate goal.
The moral standard has 3 points.
1) Don’t do any bad things.
2) Do only good deeds.
3) Always, purify your mind.
The conduct has 6 points.
1) We should spread Buddhism without insulting or saying bad things about each other.
2) We should spread Buddhism without attacking or harming each other.
3) Buddhists should observe the 5 precepts. And Buddhist monks must observe all 227 precepts.
4) One should consume food modestly.
5) One should live in a peaceful place that is suitable for meditation practice.
6) One should always practice mindfulness either when standing, walking, sitting, or sleeping.
Magha Puja is an occasion for Buddhists to commemorate to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha (the community of monks). They participate in various religious activities such as chanting, meditation, offering alms to the monks, and listening to sermons. Many temples organize candlelight processions in the evening, where devotees carry candles and walk around the temple or pagoda three times, symbolizing the Triple Gems of Buddhism.
On this day, Buddhists also make a special effort to observe the Five Precepts, which are basic ethical guidelines for living a wholesome life. The Five Precepts are to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication.
Magha Puja is a day to reflect on the teachings of the Buddha and to renew one’s commitment to practicing Buddhism. It is a reminder that the Buddha’s teachings are still relevant today and can guide us towards inner peace and happiness.
As we celebrate Magha Puja, let us take a moment to collect the happiness from meditation and other good deeds and spread it to other people. Our Centre also held a ceremony of lighting up candles. We would like to invite you to attend the ceremony together on Saturday, 24 February 2024.
Schedule
4.00 PM -Arrives at The Cape Town Meditation Centre.
4.20 PM -Meditate and Share Happiness.
5.45 PM -Light Up the Candle.
6.00 PM -Candlelight Procession.
6.30 PM -End of the Activities.
*Note: Please wear white clothes or polite attire.
Address: 107 Blaauwberg Road, Table view, Cape Town, 7441
