Vesak: Honoring the Light of Teachers
May 12, 2025 | 6 min read
Every spring, in the gentle light of the full moon, millions around the world pause to celebrate Vesak—a day holding profound meaning across Buddhist communities. More than a festival, Vesak is a deep bow of gratitude to the wisdom-bringers in humanity, from the sacred teachers who have shaped civilizations to the gentle guides who inspire us daily.
For yoga teachers, meditation guides, and wellness coaches, Vesak offers a unique invitation: to honor not only the foundational luminaries like the Buddha, but also the everyday mentors—family, friends, students, and peers—who help us walk the path of well-being and inner peace.
Vesak (sometimes called Buddha Day or Buddha Jayanti or The White Lotus holiday in more esoteric circles) commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Across traditions and cultures—from Sri Lanka to Nepal, Thailand to the West—Vesak is observed with offerings, mindful practice, acts of kindness, and celebrations in Buddhist temples and homes.
But at its heart, Vesak is an act of remembrance and honoring. It is a deep recognition of the essential role teachers play in awakening humanity, guiding us from suffering to freedom, confusion to clarity.
** The Lineage of Teachers **
As a wellness guide, you are part of an unbroken lineage. The wisdom held in each yoga class, meditation session, or mindful conversation is the living echo of countless teachers before us—whether that’s the compassion of the Buddha, the philosophical inquiries of Plato, or the quiet encouragements from our own mentors.
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We are links in a great human chain of teaching, learning, and sharing
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Every lesson passed down is both a gift received and a gift to offer onward
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Our daily work—however humble—stands in the tradition of humanity’s greatest teachers
Honoring Our Contemporary Teachers
While we honor the Buddhas and philosophers of history, Vesak is also a moment to reflect on the living teachers in our lives:
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The friend who holds space for our honest reflection
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The yoga teacher who adapts a practice for our body’s needs
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The student who, through their questions, deepens our own understanding
Take a moment this Vesak to reach out—send gratitude, a note, or a simple word of thanks to those who have helped you grow. Teaching, after all, is a relationship: as we give, we receive.
Vesak is also a gentle nudge to honor the wisdom within ourselves. As guides, our self-inquiry, ongoing learning, and acts of care ripple out. When we invest in our own enrichment and ease, we are better able to serve others.
At Meditately, we’re honored to support your journey. Our no-code app builder and AI content tools are designed to make sharing your light through mobile offerings easier—so you can focus on what matters most: embodying and transmitting the teachings that uplift us all.
Conclusion: Living in Gratitude
Vesak is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a living reminder. To all yoga and meditation guides, wellness coaches, and seekers: you are stewards of compassion, part of a vast, loving lineage. Your service stands in the company of the world’s greatest teachers.
May this Vesak inspire you to honor those who have helped you, recognize your own place in the lineage, and continue sharing wisdom with the world.
Next steps for reflection
As you celebrate Vesak, consider these actions to deepen your connection with the teachers in your life and the teacher within:
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Reflect and write the names of 1-3 teachers who have shaped your path? (advanced - write down a short paragraph about “what makes them a teacher”)
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Write a (short) letter of thanks to a teacher or mentor (past or present)
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Gift a teacher with their own Meditately app with their content. This is not just a sales pitch - I’ve actually did this with my teachers and it was a great way to show my appreciation. (It’s also free)
From my heart to yours, thank you for carrying the light forward. Happy Vesak.