Vesak Special: Vesak Day is business!

on May 22, 2008

At the entrance to the Thai Buddhist temple (Wat Boddhiyaram, I think that's its name) two pretty girls in scout uniforms were selling flowers. Temporary stalls had also been erected and children could buy balloons if only they could persuade their parents to. Now, what has selling balloons to do with Vesak Day, I wonder? Liudmila of Lazy Yogi, commented that in Europe, Vesak Day is kind of a spiritual affair which I kind of like. Some people frown on combining business and spiritual practices. Vesak Day here and everywhere else in Malaysia sees a lots of activities, commercial ones included, which upon reflecting, aren't so bad. What's so wrong about earning a few nickels to feed hungry mouth? Perhaps, it is on Vesak day too if not every other day, that we should reflect on an important Buddhist concept - self-reliance.
Pretty girls in scout uniforms offering flowers for sale...