Buddha Day (Vesak)
Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Day, or Buddha Purnima, is one of the most important Buddhist festivals usually observed on the full moon of the lunar month of Vaisakha.
However, Vesak doesn't have a fixed date because it follows a lunisolar calendar, meaning different countries celebrate it at different times.
Most commonly, it falls on the full moon in May, but some observe it in April or June instead.
- Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Malaysia: Celebrated on the first full moon of May.
- Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia : Observed on the full moon of the fourth lunar month.
- China, Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines: Celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar.
- Japan: Buddha's Birthday is fixed on April 8 every year.
The name "Vesak" is derived from the Pali term vesākha and the Sanskrit vaiśākha, which correspond to the lunar month of Vaisakha.
History of Vesak
The tradition of Vesak goes back to centuries, but it was officially recognized in 1950 when the World Fellowship of Buddhists held its first conference in Sri Lanka.
Buddhist leaders from different countries across the world decided to celebrate Vesak as a collective festival spanning Buddhist nations.
An important decision from the conference was a request to governments in Buddhist majority countries to declare the full moon day of Vesak as a public holiday.
At that time, Nepal was already doing it, and the conference encouraged other countries to do the same to commemorate Buddha as one of the iconic figures in human history.
Nepal had already taken this step, and the conference encouraged other countries to do the same to honor Buddha as one of the greatest figures in human history.
Vesak marks three major events in Buddha Gautama's life:
- His birth
- His enlightenment
- His passing (Parinirvana)
As Buddhism spread from India to different parts of the world, each culture developed its own ways of celebrating Vesak.
In India, the day is called Vaishakh Purnima or Buddha Jayanti, traditionally recognized as Buddha's birthday.
In 2000, the United Nations (UN) officially recognized Vesak as an international observance, celebrating it at its headquarters and offices around the world.
This highlights the festival's global significance beyond Buddhist communities.
How Vesak is Celebrated
Buddhists get together at temples before dawn where they hoist the flag of Buddhism and hymns are sung in honor of Buddha, his teachings or Dharma, and his community of followers or Sangha.
Devotees offer candles, incense, and flowers to represent the fleeting nature of life that serves as reminders of Buddha's teachings on change and mindfulness.
Devotees offer flowers, candles, and incense to symbolize the impermanence of life, reminding them of Buddha's teachings on change and mindfulness.
Many Buddhists refrain from harming any living beings and adopt a vegetarian diet for the day. In some countries, the tradition of life release, setting captive animals free, is practiced.
Although this has been restricted in certain places due to environmental concerns.
Additionally, charitable acts such as visiting the elderly, feeding the poor, and donating to hospitals are encouraged.
Many followers also take part in religious discussions and listen to sermons by monks and some perform a ritual where devotees pour water or tea over a small Buddha statue.
This symbolizes the cleansing of negative karma and honoring the moment of Buddha's birth.
