Wesak and Full Flower Moon

Tonight is the full moon. The May full moon is called the Flower Moon, because this is a month of blossoming and the promise of abundance. The flowers in my garden are a delicate reminder to me to project a gentle, honest spirit into the world. I open my heart, give my gifts with love, and receive, with gratitude, the bounty of gifts others offer to me.

Today is also Wesak (pronounced way-sak). The full moon in May is the day that Buddhists honor the birth of Gautama Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal, in 623 BCE, and also honor his enlightenment and death.

Buddhists all over the world celebrate this day by pausing to remember the Buddha's virtues, expressing their gratitude and appreciation for his teachings, and by finding ways to be more Buddha-like.

Agenda for today:
1. Update my altar
2. Journal queries
3. Practice at my theme of integrity
4. Find ways to be more Buddha-like
5. Make a lantern for Wesak
6. Cook Hath Maaluwa (Seven Vegetables Curry)

1. Update my altar:
It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next month. (For my thoughts on altars see About Altars). I generally keep it simple and choose only things that speak to me and feed me, and reveal what I believe in. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke? 

From last month I will keep:

• a soapstone cat, for intuition, and to remind me to be flexible in my thinking

Today I add-

• a red candle, for fire, passion, and integrity.
• a soapstone dog, for vigilance, and to remind me to stay loyal to my pack.
• a rainbow photo and a quote, to remind me that rainbows come with storms.
• a picture of the Buddha, to remind me to be compassionate

2. Journal queries:

Do I keep my word, follow through with my responsibilities, speak truth, and show loyalty? What can I improve?

Review the intentions I set 2 weeks ago, at the new moon.
Do these aims all still seem vital? 
What are my next steps? 
How can I find the passion to be persistent?

3. Integrity practices:
My theme this month is integrity, the quality of being whole and undivided, and acting promptly on my beliefs. When I am honest and loyal, my integrity lights the dark places of life, and like the farmer, I know that the Light brings my harvest. 

This month I'll think about how to improve my level of honesty and loyalty, raise energy for responsible action, and get more recognition for the work I do. My intentions are to:

• Monitor my procrastination.
• Work on my priorities first.
• Express my opinions in a kind and creative way.
• Maintain my home and garden with integrity.
• Choose to be patient, unruffled, grounded, and fearless.

4. Find ways to be more Buddha-like:
Buddhists celebrate Wesak by finding ways to be more Buddha-like: By practicing meditation, visiting monasteries, listening to sermons from venerable monks and nuns, serving free vegetarian meals to poor people, making donations to charities, and distributing gifts.

5. Make a lantern for Wesak:
Many Buddhists in Asia decorate their homes for Wesak with flags and elaborate lanterns. One year I made a tissue paper lantern called an atapattama. They are usually made out of thin pieces of bamboo, but I found a good video demonstration on YouTube showing a simple wire technique. 

(For a how to make my Wesak lantern above, look here, and from another year, look here.)

6. Cook Hath Maaluwa (Seven Vegetables Curry):
Buddhists all over the world refrain from eating meat on this day, and serve vegetarian meals to poor people. 

This tasty vegetarian curry is from Sri Lanka; you can use any seven vegetables that are in season in your area. The recipe is here.