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Vesak is an annual holiday observed traditionally by practicing Buddhists in
many Asian countries like India, Nepal, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam,
Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia and Taiwan.
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Where :
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Singapore
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When :
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The exact date of Vesak varies according to the various lunar calendars used in different traditions.
In Theravada countries following the Buddhist calendar, it falls on the full moon Uposatha day
(typically the 5th or 6th lunar month). In China it is the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar,
coinciding with the first full moon of that month.
The date varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar but falls in April or May.
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More Details :
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In Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the holiday is known by its Sanskrit equivalent,
Vaiśākha. The word Vesak itself is the Sinhalese language word for the Pali variation,
"Vesākha". Vesak is also known as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti in India, Bangladesh and Nepal,
花祭 (Hanamatsuri) in Japan, 佛誕 (fó dàn) in Chinese-speaking countries, Saga Dawa in Tibet, Visaka Bochea
in Cambodia, Visakah Puja, Visakha Bucha in Thailand, Phật Đản in Vietnam, Waisak in Indonesia,
Vesak (Wesak) in Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The equivalent festival in Laos is called Visakha Boussa
and in Myanmar is called Ka-sone-la-pyae meaning Fullmoon Day of Kasone which is also the second month
of the Myanmar Calendar.
The decision to agree to celebrate Vesak as the Buddha’s birthday was formalized at the first Conference
of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in 1950, although festivals at this time in the
Buddhist world are a centuries-old tradition. The Resolution that was adopted at the World Conference
reads as follows:
“That this Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, while recording its appreciation of the
gracious act of His Majesty, the Maharaja of Nepal in making the full-moon day of Vesak a Public Holiday
in Nepal, earnestly requests the Heads of Governments of all countries in which large or small number
of Buddhists are to be found, to take steps to make the full-moon day in the month of May a Public
Holiday in honour of the Buddha, who is universally acclaimed as one of the greatest benefactors of Humanity.”
On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists
of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha.
As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently
Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.
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Images :
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References :
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Wikipedia : Vesak
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See the days on which Vesak is celebrated :
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Vesak Day
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| 2008 |
May |
19 |
Monday |
| 2009 |
May |
09 |
Saturday |
| 2010 |
May |
28 |
Friday |
| 2011 |
May |
17 |
Tuesday |
| 2012 |
May |
05 |
Saturday |
| 2013 |
May |
24 |
Friday |
| 2014 |
May |
13 |
Tuesday |
| 2015 |
June |
01 |
Monday |
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Related Holidays :
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