Singaporean Mandarin Database

This database contains a collection of Mandarin terms which have cultural, historical or sentimental value unique to Singapore. These terms may be used by Singaporeans in the past or at present. Some of the terms are read in print while others are used in our everyday conversations.

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卫

wèi

塞

sài

节

jié

Vesak Day

Culture

文化

Culture

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Vesak Day

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Photo courtesy of Dorje tenzin (Wikimedia Commons)
Culture

文化

Culture

释义

名词

纪念佛教始祖释迦牟尼诞生、成道及涅槃的节日。新加坡的公定假日之一。

DEFINITION

Noun

A day to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of Sakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama), the founder of Buddhism. This is a public holiday in Singapore.

由来
  • 在佛教的节庆中，卫塞节是重要的节日，也是世界各地佛教徒普天同庆的日子。
  • 有一说是“卫塞”为巴利文 Vesakha（一个阴历月份名称，一般为阳历的四月到六月）的音译。卫塞节也定在农历四月的第一个圆月（大约阳历五月）。
  • 1955年，新加坡政府宣布将卫塞节列为公定假日。

ETYMOLOGY
  • Vesak Day is an important festival and a day of universal celebration for Buddhists all over the world.
  • “Vesak” is said to be derived from the Pali word Vesakha, the name of the lunar month that typically falls between April and June in the Gregorian calendar. Vesak Day falls on the first full moon of this lunar month (usually around May).
  • In 1955, the Singapore Government declared Vesak Day a public holiday.

例句
国防部兼外交部高级政务部长，东南区市长孟理齐博士昨天携妻子和一对儿女参加活动。他说：“今年的斋戒月和卫塞节巧遇，我很高兴看到不同种族,不同宗教的青年在庆祝卫塞节的同时，加深对开斋节的了解。”（《联合早报》， 30/5/2018）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mayor, South East District, attended the event yesterday with his wife and children. He said, “Ramadan and Vesak Day fall on the same day this year. I am glad to see youths of different races and religions celebrating Vesak Day while deepening their understanding of Ramadan.” (Lianhe Zaobao, 30/5/2018)
其他地区用语

佛陀诞辰纪念日（台）、佛诞节（港）

TERMS USED IN OTHER REGIONS

佛陀诞辰纪念日 (Taiwan), 佛诞节 (Hong Kong)

相关资料

  • 卫塞节当天，一些例常的重点活动包括“浴佛”与“三步一拜”。“浴佛”是供奉一盆清净的水并以勺舀水，将水洒在佛像上，代表洗去贪心、骄傲、自满、生气、妒忌及自私等不良的习气。“三步一拜”指的是信众每走三步便得五体投地，向佛祖口头跪拜，这种做法象征信众以忏悔的心向佛祖表达最崇高的敬意。

RELATED INFORMATION

  • Rituals observed on Vesak Day include “Bathing the Buddha” and “Three Steps, One Bow”. In the former, devotees scoop clean water from a basin and sprinkle it over a statue of Buddha. This represents the washing away of bad habits such as greed, pride, complacency, anger, jealousy and selfishness. In the latter, devotees prostrate themselves before Buddha with every three steps they take, symbolising their repentance as well as their highest reverence of Buddha.

参考资料
点击查看卫塞节的参考资料
REFERENCES

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