On this sacred Full-moon day of Vesakhā in the Buddhist Era 2569, Buddha Day 2025, Buddhists across the world gather in reverence and devotion to commemorate the birth, Enlightenment, and Parinibbana of the Blessed One, Gautama Buddha. With profound joy and unwavering conviction, we reflect upon his boundless wisdom and infinite compassion, which continue to illuminate the path of countless beings.

In honour of this auspicious day, Nalanda has thoughtfully crafted a theme to inspire and guide our observance: “Leading a Life of Wisdom and Compassion.” May this theme serve as a beacon, encouraging all to embody the noble virtues of wisdom and compassion in our thoughts, words, and deeds, thus bringing greater harmony and awakening to the world.

In truth, reflecting on Wisdom (Paññā) and Compassion (Karunā) on Buddha Day isn’t just symbolic —it is profoundly essential. These two qualities are the twin engines that drive a Buddhist forward on the Dhamma Path. Without Wisdom and Compassion as its wings, a bird cannot lift off and fly. It cannot soar up to the heights of meaningful spiritual progress as it should.

WHY WISDOM MATTERS

Wisdom is critical in Buddhism. It is not about one’s intellectual abilities — it is about seeing things as they truly are. Wisdom is the wonderful clarity that cuts through ignorance, the root cause of suffering, to reveal its cause and the Path to be free of it. It is about seeing Reality for what it is.

On Buddha Day, we reflect that the Buddha did not offer us dogma; He offered insight, and His enlightenment was a realisation, not a revelation. That realisation — the Four Noble Truths — is developed through discernment, learning and committed cultivation of the mind.

Without Wisdom, the spiritual journey does not start. Wisdom sits at the top of the framework of the Noble Eightfold Path as the factors of Right View and Right Intention. In fact, without Wisdom Compassion can become naive — it is driven by our emotion but lacks direction. A person may want to help, but might not know how.

WHY COMPASSION MATTERS

Having developed Wisdom, and is able to see the truth of suffering, Compassion is the naturally ensuing state of mind. It is the deep connection to the suffering of others, arising with the sincere wish to alleviate it. It’s not sympathy, nor is it a feeling of sorrow or sadness. It’s the basic human acknowledgment that all living beings share this common experience of suffering. Knowing this, beings quickly realise ‘my suffering is not separate from yours, how do we escape it together?’.

Without Compassion, Wisdom might become cold and detached. A person might see clearly, but without the quality of Compassion, that clarity becomes unfeeling. The factor of Right Intention teaches us that when we develop thoughts free of the wish to harm others (harmlessness), Compassion readily arises in that person’s mind.

A REFLECTION ON BUDDHA DAY

Brothers and Sisters in Dhamma, we can honour the Buddha not just in words, but by walking the Noble path He has shown. As Buddha Day dawns this year, consider the precious opportunity we have to reflect upon and embody the key teachings of the Buddha in all our lives. Let us undertake to develop true Wisdom and practise Compassion that uplifts all beings in the world.

With Wisdom as our guide and Compassion as our compass, we aspire to achieve a more mindful and caring world. Placing the Three Jewels as our foundation, let us actively weave the qualities of Wisdom and Compassion together to joyfully serve our Dhamma community in all the ways that we can.