A Fiesta for Buddhists of the World, Buddha’s Birthday

Variety of Activities such as Dharma talks, Drama, Essay Contest, Parade with Lanterns, etc. are held …



May 8th is Buddha’s Birthday, the most celebrated fiesta for Buddhists of the world. In Korea, every year April 8th by the lunar calendar has been set as a national holiday to observe Buddha’s Birthday, and whole nation celebrates the day. Member of each temple prepare for this day for several months early by preparing lanterns. The courtyard of temple and around is then filled with hanging lanterns, which enhance the festive mood. On this day Buddhists cleanse body and mind before coming to the temple. Then they celebrate and pay respect to Buddha for his coming to this universe in order to elucidate the Truth to the deluded ordinary beings.

Every temple starts the ceremony to celebrate the occasion around 10:00 a.m. The ceremony includes cleansing the baby Buddha’s body, singing songs to praise Buddha, and dharma talks normally given by a sunim (monk).

Events vary from temple to temple, however, the performance of a play depicting Buddha’s life by the temple members or a special show follows the ceremony during the daytime. As dusk draws, all the temples nationwide perform a candle lighting ceremony together. The lighting of candles in the darkness symbolizes with a hope that a world of wisdom will open ahead to the mind of ordinary beings that are fallen to false delusion. Once the candle-lighting ceremony is completed, temple members come out to the street and hold a parade around the city or village with lanterns held in hand by everyone. Many villagers also celebrate Buddha’s coming to this world. Everyone enjoys a happy and jubilant time.

Each Buddhist organization also sponsors a variety of events for two weeks around the Buddha’s birthday. These events include large-scale lantern parades throughout the cities, a nationwide baby Buddha sketch contest for young Buddhists, a youth dancing competition and essay contests. These events are planned nationwide. Buddhist organizations for social welfare help estranged facilities. They also visit homes where a boy or girl is the householder or lonely old folk and offer lanterns.

The month of May when the Buddha’s birthday falls on is so meaningful to the Korean Buddhists as well as to the Buddhists of the world. Especially, the nations, which have been influenced by Southern Buddhism or Tibetan Buddhism, elect April 15th by the lunar calendar (May 15 by solar calendar) as the Buddha day, and offer a variety Vesak.

Vesak celebrates Buddha’s enlightenment, Extinction into Nirvana in addition to the Buddha’s birth. In the western countries that have been influenced by Southern Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism, Vesak is a fiesta, which is becoming more important than Buddha’s birthday.

In India, April 15th by the lunar calendar is called Buddha Jayanti and is observed as a national holiday. Ceremonies in celebration of this are held in Lumbini Grove, Deer Park, Bombay, and Sanchi etc. A road parade is held in Varanasi.

In Nepal, a large Vesak with a 1500 year history is celebrated at Swayammu temple, and many foreigners participate in the event.

Thailand, which has over 95% of its population as Buddhists, observes the period of Vesak as national holidays. Dharma talks from each temple are broadcast live on TV and Radio.

In Hong Kong, the event is celebrated on lunar April 8th, same as in Korea. Buddhist schools prepare a variety of lectures and seminars.

In Japan, each temple celebrates separately instead of as a group celebration.

In Europe with its 200 year Buddhism history, various Vesak fiestas are celebrated. In Germany, which has heavily been influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, the Shakya Foundation and Tao Chen Center, etc. hold street activities, dinner parties, lectures, etc. Many of these happen mainly in Berlin.

In England where Buddha day has already been set, a road parade, facemask ball, etc. are planned to start from May 15th by the London Buddhist Association.

In Italy, where the Vesak fiesta has been held since 1989, the Italian Buddhist Federation plans united dharma talks, art performances, and various events.

In the USA and Canada, splendid celebration services are offered in May.

The International Committee of New York Buddhism holds a ceremony and lantern parade. In L.A. and Texas where many Korean-Americans reside, a united service and road parade are held to celebrate Buddha’s birthday.