A Wesak lantern being hung up across the road.
50 ft


Buddha statues at a temple, with a King worshipping the Buddha



Large state of a reclining Buddha



Interior decorations at a temple



Paintings depicting scenes from the Buddha's I life.



The Dagoba outside the temple



Drummers and flute player performing



Devotees



People meditating.




Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The greatest day for Buddhists all over the world is Wesak Day. This falls every year on the Full Moon day in the month of May. On this day Buddhists celebrate the Birth, Enlightenment and Death anniversary of Lord Buddha. In every buddhist home, they fly the buddhist flag and light up coloured lanterns of various patterns. The main requirement is to attend pujas at temples, observe SIL (following the noble eightfold path, laid down by the Buddha). Dressed in pure white, men, women and children spend the day in the temples, listening to sermons, offering flowers and taking part in meditation. Homes and streets are decorated. Buddhist refrain from enjoyment on this day. Meals are taken without flesh or fish.

Film open with a shot of a line of Buddhist flags, offering flowers to Buddha statues in temple, lighting lamps etc. A gaily decorated street is shown next. Devotees are seen in large numbers at a famous temple in Colombo- the Kuppiyawata temple. A large white Dagoba in which Buddha relics are enshrined, is seen in the background. CUSs of devotees meditating and praying and a small child offering flowers at a Dagoba.