| Vesak | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Official name | Vesak, Vesākha, Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Vaishakh Purnima, Saka Dawa |
| Also called | Buddha's Birthday or Buddha Day |
| Observed by | Buddhist, Sikhs, Jains and Hindus |
| Type | Buddhist |
| Significance | Commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and death of The Buddha |
| Observances | Meditation, observing, and some Eight Precepts, partaking of vegetarian food, giving to charity, "bathing" the Buddha |
| Date | Full moon of the lunar month of Vesākha, usually in April, May or June. |
| 2023 date | |
| 2024 date | |
| 2025 date | |
| 2026 date | |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Buddha's Birthday Other related festivals Laba Festival (in China) Rohatsu (in Japan) |
| Part of a series on |
| Theravāda Buddhism |
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| Buddhism |
Vesak (Pali: Vesākha; Sanskrit: vaiśākha), also known as Buddha Jayanti,[11] Buddha Purnima,[12] and Buddha Day, is a holiday traditionally observed by Buddhists in South Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as in Tibet and Mongolia.[13] It is among the most important Buddhist festivals. The festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Nibbāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha in Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism, and Navayana.[14]
The name Vesak is derived from the Pali term vesākha or Sanskrit vaiśākha for the lunar month of Vaisakha, which is considered the month of Buddha's birth.[15] In Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the holiday is known by its Sanskrit name (Vaiśākha) and derived variants of it.
In the East Asian tradition, a celebration of Buddha's Birthday typically occurs around the traditional timing of Vesak, while the Buddha's awakening and death are celebrated as separate holidays that occur at other times in the calendar as Bodhi Day and Nibbāna Day. In the South Asian tradition, where Vesak is celebrated on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month, the Vesak day marks the birth, enlightenment, and the ultimate death of the Buddha.[16][17][18][19]
- ^ "Myanmar regime pardons political detainees charged for incitement on Vesak Day". Myanmar Now. 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Wesak Day 2024, 2025 and 2026". PublicHolidays.com.my. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Vesak Day 2024, 2025 and 2026". PublicHolidays.lk. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Vesak Day". United Nations. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Vesak Day revised to fall on June 2 next year; Singapore to have 7 long weekends in 2023". The Straits Times. 29 September 2022. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023.
- ^ "Thai holidays in 2023". The Thaiger. 31 December 2022. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Waisak Day 2024, 2025 and 2026". PublicHolidays.co.id. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "Full Moon Day of Kasong 2024, 2025 and 2026 in Myanmar". PublicHolidays.asia. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "Vesak Day 2024, 2025 and 2026". PublicHolidays.sg. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "Visakha Bucha Day 2024, 2025 and 2026 in Thailand". PublicHolidays.asia. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "BBC on Buddhism". BBC Religions. BBC. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Making History: Vesak Celebrated at the White House with Candle Offerings". 27 May 2021.
- ^ Fowler, Jeaneane D. (1997). World Religions: it is celebrated to mark the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of the Lord Buddha. An Introduction for Students. Sussex Academic Press. ISBN 1-898723-48-6.
- ^ "Visakha Puja". Accesstoinsight.org. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
- ^ "Buddha Purnima 2021: Date, history, significance of Buddha Jayanti". 26 May 2021.
- ^ "The Origins and Practices of Holidays: Vesak". 18 May 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Buddha Purnima 2021: Why is Buddha Birth anniversary celebrated? Date, significance and importance of the day". 26 May 2021.
- ^ "Vesak Festival". 7 May 2020. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016.
- ^ "BUDDHA JAYANTI". 6 May 2020. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.