Visākha Puṇṇamī Pūjā Kathā

The Blessed One to whom we have gone for refuge, who is our Teacher, and in whose Dhamma we delight: Was born in the Middle Country, the Ariyaka race, the noble warrior class, and the Gotama lineage. A member of the Sakyan clan, he left his Sakyan family, went forth into the homeless life, and attained Right Self-Awakening unsurpassed in the cosmos with its Devas, Maras, and Brahmas, its generations with their contemplatives and brahmans, their rulers and common people. There is no doubt that the Blessed One is worthy and rightly selfawakened, consummate in knowledge and conduct, one who has gone the good way, a knower of the cosmos, unexcelled as a trainer for those who can be taught, the teacher for human and divine beings; awakened and blessed. And that the Dhamma is well-taught by the Blessed One, to be seen here and now, timeless, inviting all to come and see, pertinent, to be realized by the wise for themselves. And that the Community of the Blessed One's disciples — the four pairs, the eight types of Noble Ones — have practiced well, have practiced straightforwardly, have practiced methodically, have practiced masterfully. This image dedicated to the Blessed One has been fashioned and placed here so that, in seeing it, we will remember him and gain a sense of inspiration and chastened dispassion.

This stupa dedicated to the Blessed One has been fashioned and placed here so that, in seeing it, we will remember him and gain a sense of inspiration and chastened dispassion. Now, on this full moon day of Visakha — recognized as the date of the Blessed One's birth, Awakening, and total liberation — we have gathered together in this place. We take these offerings — candles, incense, and so forth — and make our bodies a vessel for them. Reflecting on the Blessed One's virtues as they actually are, we will circumambulate this image-shelter [stupa] three times, paying homage to him with the offerings we hold. Although the Blessed One long ago attained total liberation, he is still discernible through our remembrance of his perceivable virtues

May he accept the offerings we hold, for the sake of our long-term welfare and happiness.