| Buddha Purnima | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Buddha's Birthday celebration inSeoul, South Korea | |
| Also called | Buddha Jayanti Buddha's Birthday Vesākha बुद्ध पूर्णिमा बुद्ध पौर्णिमा ဗုဒ္ဓမွေးနေ့ বুদ্ধ পূর্ণিমা ବୁଦ୍ଧ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା Fódàn (佛誕) Phật Đản 초파일 (Chopa-il) វិសាខបូជា (Visak Buchea) 부처님 오신 날 (Bucheonim osin nal) |
| Observed by | Buddhists inEast Asia and Buddhists and someHindus inSouth andSoutheast Asia (asVesak) |
| Type | Buddhist, cultural |
| Significance | Commemoration of the birth ofGautama Buddha |
| Date | varies by region:
|
| 2024 date | 15 May (China, Vietnam, the Philippines and East Asia) |
| 2025 date | 5 May (China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and East Asia) 11 May (Cambodia, Thailand) |
| 2026 date | |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Vesak |
Buddha's Birthday orBuddha Day (also known asBuddha Jayanti,Buddha Purnima, andBuddha Pournami) is a primarilyBuddhist festival that is celebrated in most ofSouth,Southeast andEast Asia, commemorating the birth of the prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became theGautama Buddha and foundedBuddhism. According to Buddhist tradition and archaeologists, Gautama Buddha, c. 623 BCE, was born atLumbini inNepal.[10] Buddha's mother was QueenMaya Devi, who delivered the Buddha while undertaking a journey to her native home, and his father was KingŚuddhodana.[11] The Mayadevi Temple, its gardens, and anAshoka Pillar dating from 249 BCE mark the Buddha's birthplace at Lumbini.[12]
The exact year of Buddha's birthday is based on the Sri Lankan convention, while several Asianlunisolar calendars ascribe to different lunar days. The date for the celebration of Buddha's birthday therefore varies from year to year in the WesternGregorian calendar, but it is usually celebrated in either April or May. During leap years, the birthday may be celebrated in June.
InSouth andSoutheast Asia, the Buddha's birth is celebrated as part ofVesak, a festival that also celebrates the Buddha'senlightenment (on the day of thefull moon, henceSanskrit:पूर्णिमाpūrṇimā) and hismahaparinirvana. In Tibetan Buddhism, Buddha's birth (7th day of the 4th Month) is celebrated separately fromSaga Dawa Duchen, the annual festival celebrating his enlightenment and mahaparinirvana (15th Day of the 4th Month).[13] In East Asia, Vietnam and the Philippines, the enlightenment and death of the Buddha are observed as separate holidays.
The exact date of Buddha's Birthday is based on the Asianlunisolar calendars and is primarily celebrated inVaisakha month of theBuddhist calendar and theVikram SamvatHindu calendar. This is the etymology behind the termVesak. In modern-day India and Nepal, where the historicalBuddha lived, it is celebrated on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month of the Buddhist calendar. In Theravada countries following the Buddhist calendar, it falls on the full moon, Uposatha day, typically in the 5th or 6th lunar month. In China, Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines, it is celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The date varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar but usually falls in April or May. In leap years it may be celebrated in June. In Tibet, it falls on the 7th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar.
InSouth Asian andSoutheast Asian countries (exceptVietnam and thePhilippines) as well asMongolia, Buddha's birthday is celebrated on the full moon day of theVaisakha month of the Buddhist calendar and theHindu calendar, which usually falls in April or May of the Western Gregorian calendar. The festival is known as Buddha Purnima, as Purnima means full moon day in Sanskrit. It is also called Buddha Jayanti, with Jayanti meaning birthday inSanskrit.
The corresponding WesternGregorian calendar dates varies from year to year:
In manyEast Asian countries as well as Vietnam and the Philippines,[15] Buddha's Birth is celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th month in theChinese lunar calendar (in Japan since 1873 on April 8 of the Gregorian calendar), and the day is an official holiday inHong Kong,Macau andSouth Korea. The date falls from the end of April to the end of May according to the Gregorian calendar.[16]
The primarily solar Gregorian calendar date varies from year to year, and in the year 2021, it was on May 19.
In 1999 the Taiwanese government set Buddha's birthday as the second Sunday of May, the same date asMother's Day.[17][18]
As a result of theMeiji Restoration, Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in lieu of the Chinese lunar calendar in 1873. However, it took approximately until 1945, the end ofWorld War II, for religious festivities to adopt the new calendar. In most Japanese temples, Buddha's birth is now celebrated on the Gregorian and Buddhist calendar date 8 April; only a few (mainly in Okinawa) celebrate it on the orthodox Chinese calendar date of the eighth day of the fourth lunar month.[19]
Archeological evidence fromKapilvastu, where Śuddhodana's palace was located, was uncovered in 2021.[12] In 2022, archaeologists fromDurham University reported that while working in Nepal they uncovered evidence of a structure at the birthplace of the Buddha dating to the sixth century BCE, using a combination of radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence techniques.[20][21]
Buddha's birthday is a public holiday in Bangladesh and the event is called Buddho Purnima (বুদ্ধ পূর্ণিমা). On the days preceding Purnima, Buddhist monks and priests decorate Buddhist temples with colourful decorations and candles. On the day of the festival, the President and Prime Minister deliver speeches addressing the history and importance of Buddhism, and of religious harmony in the country. From noon onwards large fairs are held in and around the temples andviharas, selling Bengali food (largely vegetarian), clothes, and toys. Performances of Buddha's life are also presented. Buddhist monks teach celebrants about the Dharma and theFive Precepts (panchashila). Buddhists then attend a congression inside the monastery where the chief monk delivers a speech discussing the Buddha and theThree Jewels (tri-ratna), and about living the ideal life. Afterwards, a prayer to the Buddha is offered, and people then light candles and recite the Three Jewels and Five Precepts.[22][23]
In Bhutan, Buddha Parinirvana is a national holiday and is also celebrated asSaga Dawa on the 15th day of the Saga Dawa (fourth month of the Tibetan calendar). Observation of the holy month begins from 1st day of the Saga Dawa,Vesak Month that culminates on the full moon day 15th of the month with celebrations of three holy events of Buddha's life; birth, enlightenment and Death (Mahaparinirvana). Throughout the Saga DawaVesak Month holy, virtuous and morally ethical activities flows in homes, temples, monasteries and public places. Devotees and followers follow strict vegetarian meals throughout the Saga Dawa month and avoid consumption of any non-vegetarian food. The Buddha parinirvana day also sees devotees visiting monastery to offer prayers and light butter lamps. People of various walk of life wear their national dress and go to monasteries to receive blessings from their guardian deity.
In Cambodia, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated asVisak Bochea and is apublic holiday where monks around the country carry the Buddhist flag, lotus flowers, incense, and candles to acknowledge Vesak. People also take part in alms-giving to the monks.[24]
In Mainland China, this day is generally and commonly called inChinese 佛誕 (Fódàn), but also called "Yùfú Jié (浴佛節, "Bathing (Purifying) Buddha Festival"),Guànfó Huì (灌佛會, "Pouring on the Buddha Congregational Assembly"),Lóng-huá Huì (龍華會),Huáyán Huì (華嚴會)" or even " 衛塞節 (Wèisāi jié, "Vesak Day), 偉大的衛塞節花節偉大的滿月 (Wěidà de Wèisāi-jié Huā-jié Wěidà de Mǎnyuè, "Great Vesak Day Flower Festival Full Moon of Flower Moon")". Celebrations may occur in Buddhist temples where people may lightincense and bring food offerings for the monks.[25]
InHong Kong, Buddha's birthday is apublic holiday. Lanterns are lit to symbolise the Buddha's enlightenment and many people visit the temple to pay their respects. The bathing of statues of the Buddha is a major feature of Buddha's birthday celebrations in the city.[26] In Macau, all Buddhist temples in Macau will hold the "Lung4 Wa4 Wui5 (龍華會)" ritual ceremony, bathing the Buddha with "Ng5 Heung1 Seui2 (五香水 "Five Scented-Perfumed Water")", the festival is also a public holiday inMacau.[27]
The public holiday for Buddha Purnima in India was initiated byB. R. Ambedkar when he was the minister of law and justice.[28] It is celebrated especially inSikkim,Ladakh,Arunachal Pradesh,Bodh Gaya,Lahaul and Spiti district,Kinnaur, various parts of North Bengal such asKalimpong,Darjeeling, andKurseong, andMaharashtra (where 77% of total IndianBuddhists live), as well as other parts of India as per Indian calendar. Buddhists go to commonViharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhist sutra, akin to a service.
In the followers of Theravada style the dress code is pure white, others do not follow particular dress code.Kheer, sweet rice porridge is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who, in Gautama Buddha's life, offered the Buddha a bowl of milkporridge. Informally called "Buddha's Birthday," it actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha in the Theravada tradition.
At the Mahabodhi Temple of Bodhgaya in India, Buddha Purnima is celebrated with great enthusiasm. This temple gets decorated with colored decorations. At the Bodhi Tree, under which Gautama Buddha obtained enlightenment, devotees of Gautam Buddha do special prayers. At the National Museum in Delhi, Lord Buddha's holy remaining's are open for public viewing.[29]
Tibetans in exile and Tibet celebrate holy Vesak daySaga Dawa on the 15th day of the Saga Dawa (fourth month of the Tibetan calendar). Observation of the holy month begins from 1st day of the Saga Dawa, Vesak Month that culminates on the full moon day 15th of the month with celebrations of three holy events of Buddha's life; birth, enlightenment and Death (Mahaparinirvana). Throughout the Saga DawaVesak Month holy, virtuous and morally ethical activities flows in homes, temples, monasteries and public places. Devotees and followers take special precepts Mahayana Posadha during the holy month and especially on the full moon day, therefore consumption of semi-vegetarian or Non-vegetarian food is avoided during the holy month of VesakSaga Dawa in Tibetan and Himalayan villages and communities. Yogis also choose to do special types of meditation on this day as it is said to be quite conducive for spiritual growth.
In Indonesia, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated asWaisak and is apublic holiday. A large procession beginning inMendut inJava, and ends atBorobudur – the largest Buddhist temple in the world.[30][31]
In Japan, Buddha's Birthday is known asKanbutsu-e (Japanese:灌仏会) orHanamatsuri (Flower Festival) (Japanese:花祭り) and is held on April 8. Buddha's birth is also celebrated according to the Buddhist calendar but is not a national holiday. On this day, all temples hold 降誕会 (Gōtan-e), 仏生会 (Busshō-e), 浴仏会 (Yokubutsu-e), 龍華会 (Ryūge-e) and 花会式 (Hana-eshiki). Japanese people pourama-cha (a beverage prepared fromHydrangea serrata, a variety ofhydrangea) on small Buddha statues decorated with flowers, as if bathing a newborn baby. The tradition of bathing the Buddha originated in China and was introduced to Japan where it was first held inNara in 606.[32]Lion dancing is also a major tradition practiced during Buddha's Birthday and has become associated with the festival in Japan.[33]
In Malaysia, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated asWesak Day and is apublic holiday celebrated by thesizeable minority Buddhist population in the country. Temples across the country are decorated, and caged animals are set free. People engage in prayers, chanting, and alms-giving across the country.[24]
In Mongolia, Buddha's Birthday is called (Mongolian Cyrillic: Багшийн Их Дүйцэн Өдөр,Burkhan Bagshiin Ikh Düitsen Ödör, "Lord Buddha's Great Festival Day"), is celebrated as"Ikh Duichen" and its date is determined by theMongolian lunar calendar.[34] As a result, the date falls in line with celebrations of Buddha's Birthday/Vesak in South and Southeast Asian countries as opposed to neighbouring East Asian countries.[35] In December 2019, the popularly celebrated festival by many Mongolian Buddhists, is made a public holiday.[36]
In Myanmar, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated asFull Moon of Kasun and is apublic holiday. It is celebrated by watering theBodhi tree and chanting. In large pagodas, music and dance is also performed as part of the celebrations.[24]
In Nepal, Buddha's birthday is celebrated on the full moon day of May, and is a nationalpublic holiday. The festival is known by various names, Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Vaishakh Purnima, Saga Dawa, and Vesak.Purnima means full moon day inSanskrit. Among theNewars of Nepal, especially from the Shakya clan of Newars, it is of great importance because they consider it as a continuation of the sage of the Śākyas- the clan that Lord Buddha's family belonged to. Thus, they celebrate the festival which is in their language known as Swānyā Punhi (स्वांया पुन्हि), the full moon day of flowers.[37] The day marks not just the birth of Shakyamuni Gautama Buddha, but also the day of hisEnlightenment andMahaparinirvana.
The event is celebrated by gentle and serene fervour, keeping in mind the very nature of Buddhism. People, especially women, go to commonViharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhistsutra, something like a service. The usual dress is pure white. Non-vegetarian food is normally avoided.Kheer, sweet rice porridge is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who offered the Buddha a bowl of milkporridge.
Buddha Purnima is the biggest day for Buddhists because on this day, it is believed three important events of the Buddha's life took place: his birth, his attaining enlightenment, and his death, Paranirvana. This day is known asThrice Blessed Festival.[38]
Buddha's Birthday is occasionally designated as a public holiday inNorth Korea and is known asChopail (Korean:초파일Chopa-il;Hanja: 初八日, "the first 8th day (of the month in theLunar Calendar)").[39] Designation oftraditional Korean holidays as public holidays in North Korea are determined by theCabinet a few days before the traditional holiday begins.[39] Buddha's Birthday is a traditional festival in Korean culture, and was celebrated in Korea long before thedivision of the country. As a result, the festival is still celebrated in North Korea by the country's Buddhist population.[40]
In the Philippines, Buddha's Birthday is known asKaarawan ni Buddha and usually has Chinese elements via itsChinese community. It is apublic holiday. However, it can be celebrated by people ofall religions. Like in China and Japan, Filipino people bathe statues of the Buddha.[41][42]
In Singapore, Buddha's birthday is celebrated asVesak orVesak Day and is apublic holiday in the country. Buddhist temples hold celebrations and are decorated withBuddhist flags and flowers. Devotees also bring offerings to the temples.[43]
In South Korea, the birthday of Buddha is celebrated according to theKorean lunar calendar and is a national holiday. This day is called "Bucheo-nim o-shin nal" (Hangul:부처님 오신 날) meaning "the day when the Buddha (Bucheo-nim) came", which is also called "Seok-ga T'an-shin-il" (Hangul: 석가탄신일,Hanja: 釋迦誕辰日), i.e. "the Birthday ofSakyamuni Buddha" and sometimes also calledChopail (Korean:초파일Chopa-il; Hanja: 初八日, "the first 8th day (of the month in theLunar Calendar)"). Lotus lanterns hang in temples throughout the month and lanterns are hung in homes and in the streets.[44] On the day of Buddha's birth, many temples provide free meals and tea to all visitors and organize large lantern festival calledYeondeunghoe (Hangul: 연등회, Hanja: 燃燈會, "Lotus Lantern Festival"). Breakfast and lunch are also provided, which often includes sanchaebibimbap. Buddha's Birthday is a popular holiday and folk celebration in Korea, and is often celebrated by people of all religious faiths.[44]
In Sri Lanka, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated asVesak and is apublic holiday celebrated on the first full moon day of the month of May. Its date is determined by theBuddhist lunar calendar. People engage in religious observances and decorate houses and streets with candles and paper lanterns as well as bamboo-framed lanterns.Dansalas is practised and refers to the free offering of food and drink to people. Devotional songs known asBakthi Gee are sung, and decorative gateways calledpandols are erected throughout the country. Temples around the country also hold celebrations, and devotees bring offerings and burn incense.[45] Electric light displays that depict stories from the Buddha's life are also a notable part of Vesak celebrations in the country.[citation needed]
In Taiwan, after the initiation by the Buddhists and the general public, the "Guódìng Fúdàn Jié (Chinese: 國定佛誕節, "National Buddha's Birthday")" was jointly signed. Then in 1999, theMinistry of the Interior (Taiwan) officially announced the "Anniversary of the Buddha's Birthday (Chinese: 佛陀誕辰紀念日Fótuó Dànchén Jìniàn Rì)" in the "Guódìng Jìniàn Rì (Chinese: 國定紀念日, "National Memorial Day")". Buddha's birthday is a national holiday. Devotees pour fragrant water over Buddha statues to symbolise the beginning of a fresh start in life.[46]
In Thailand, Buddha's birthday is celebrated asVisakha Puja and is apublic holiday. People gather at temples to hear sermons, give donations and chant prayers.[47]
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In Vietnam, Buddha's birthday is called inVietnamese,Lễ Phật Đản/Phật Đản (佛誕, "Birthday of the Buddha"), orTam Hiệp and is celebrated throughout Vietnam. Many Buddhist temples hold celebrations that attract people from around the country, while pagodas around the country are decorated.[48] From 1958 to 1975, the birthday of Buddha (on the 8th day of the 4th month in theVietnamese calendar) was recognized as a national public holiday inSouth Vietnam,[49] enjoyed with floats and lantern parades on the streets. Currently Buddha's Birthday is still a popular celebrated festival in Vietnam, but not a public holiday.
| Buddha's Birthday | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese name | |||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 佛誕 | ||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 佛诞 | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Vietnamese name | |||||||||||||||
| Vietnamese alphabet | Phật Đản | ||||||||||||||
| Korean name | |||||||||||||||
| Hangul | 부처님 오신 날 | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Japanese name | |||||||||||||||
| Kanji | 灌仏会 | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Filipino name | |||||||||||||||
| Tagalog | Kaarawan ni Buddha | ||||||||||||||
InSydney, Buddha's birthday is celebrated at the Nan Tien Temple in Wollongong, while another celebration also organised by Nan Tien Temple is held atDarling Harbour, which features Buddha's birthday ceremony. A variety of vegetarian food is served, and culture stalls and multicultural performances are held, celebrating cultures from China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Australia.[50][51] Other temples in the Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple group in Australia also hld celebrations on the eighth day of the fourth month of the China lunar calendar.[52] InBrisbane, theBuddha's Birthday Festival is held annually and features a variety of pan-Asian food, and performances from various cultures are held.[53] It is a weekend-long festival which draws over 200,000 visitors.[54] InMelbourne, the weekend-long festival calledBuddha's Day and Multicultural Festival is held at Federation Square around April/May.[55] InPerth, a two-day celebration also known asBuddha's Day and Multicultural Festival is held atLangley Park.[56] Local Buddhist temples and smaller towns around the country such asBendigo,Victoria also hold celebrations.[57]
On the Australianexternal territory ofChristmas Island, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated as "Vesak Day" and is celebrated alongside many other celebrations common in Australia and Malaysia as well as local celebrations of the island.[58][59]
Vesak (Hanamatsuri) is widely known and celebrated in Brazil due to the country's largeJapanese community. Hanamatsuri has grown in popularity and also attracts interest from the wider non-Japanese Brazilian population. As a result, Hanamatsuri has become aconsumerist culture phenomenon in the country and is sometimes locally known asFesta das Flores.[60][61] Hanamatsuri is celebrated in theSão Paulo neighbourhood ofLiberdade which is home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan.[62] Hanamatsuri celebrations in Liberdade began in 1966 and includes a parade on Galvão Bueno street. Celebrations are also held at the suburb's major shopping centre, Liberdade Plaza.[61][62]
InToronto, three Buddhist temples representing the three main branches of Buddhism organize an annual event known asVesak: Buddha's Birthday.[63] It is held atMississauga Celebration Square, and features a number of Buddhist-themed events and activities, as well as cultural acts from Asia, including China, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.[64][65][66]
The celebration of Buddha's Birthday in the United States differs from community to community, depending on ethnicity and nationality.
The Japanese celebration on 8 April has been significant in theBay Area of California for some decades. In 1968 the firstcircumambulation of Mt. Tamalpais to celebrate Buddha's Birthday was conducted. Starting in 1969 at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center,Hana-Matsuri (花まつり, flower festival) was celebrated each spring. Dressed in formal black robes, the roughly 70 monks and students form a formal procession to the Horse Pasture with the leader periodically ringing a small, clear bell. A temporary stone altar was built under a huge oak tree in a gorgeous field of green grass and abundant wildflowers; a small statue of a baby Buddha was placed upon it in a metal basin. Then each person, in turn, approaches the altar, and ladle one thin-lipped bamboo dipperful of sweet green tea over the statue, bow, and walk to one side.[67]
InNew York, theInternational Lotus Lantern Parade has been a notable and successful annual event held atUnion Square Park. The event celebrates the Buddha's birthday andYeon Deung Hoe (연등회,燃燈會), a Korean lantern celebration that is held during Vesak. The festival features a number of Buddhist themed events and is started off by numerous Buddhist centers of Japanese, Korean and Sri Lankan origins for example.[68]
Since 1963, the state ofHawaii has recognized 8 April of each year as "Buddha Day".
The legislature approved a proposal in 1999 to designate the birthday of Sakyamuni Buddha — which falls on the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar — a national holiday and to celebrate the special occasion concurrently with International Mother's Day, which is celebrated on the second Sunday of May.
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