Buddha's Birthday
Buddha Purnima | |
---|---|
Gautama Buddha | |
Date | varies by region:
|
2023 date | 26 May (China, Vietnam, the Philippines and East Asia) |
2024 date | 15 May (China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, the Philippines and East Asia) 15 May (Bangladesh) 5 May (India, Nepal)[1] 26 May (Tibet, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia) |
2025 date | 5 May (China, Vietnam, the Philippines and East Asia) |
Frequency | annual |
Related to | Vesak |
Buddha's Birthday or Buddha Day (also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Buddha Pournami) is a primarily
The exact year of Buddha's birthday is based on the Sri Lankan convention, while several Asian lunisolar calendars ascribe to different lunar days. The date for the celebration of Buddha's birthday therefore varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar, but it is usually celebrated in either April or May. During leap years, the birthday may be celebrated in June.
In
Date
The exact date of Buddha's Birthday is based on the Asian
South and Southeast Asia and Mongolia
In South Asian and Southeast Asian countries (except Vietnam and the Philippines) Cambodiaas well as Mongolia, Buddha's birthday is celebrated on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month of the Buddhist calendar and the Hindu 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 in Sanskrit.
The corresponding Western Gregorian calendar dates varies from year to year:
- 2020: May 7[6]
- 2021: May 19 (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Tibet), May 26 (India, Indonesia, Nepal, Malaysia and Singapore)
East Asia, Vietnam and the Philippines
In many East Asian countries as well as Vietnam and the Philippines,[7] Buddha's Birth is celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th month in the Chinese lunar calendar (in Japan since 1873 on April 8 of the Gregorian calendar), and the day is an official holiday in Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea. The date falls from the end of April to the end of May according to the Gregorian calendar.[8]
The primarily solar Gregorian calendar date varies from year to year, and in the year 2021, it was on May 19.
Taiwan
In 1999 the Taiwanese government set Buddha's birthday as the second Sunday of May, the same date as Mother's Day.[9][10]
Japan
As a result of the Meiji Restoration, Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in lieu of the Chinese lunar calendar in 1873. However, it took approximately until 1945, the end of World 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.[11]
Place
Archeological evidence from Kapilvastu, where Śuddhodana's palace was located, was uncovered in 2021.[4] In 2022, archaeologists from Durham 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.[12][13]
Celebrations in each country
Asia
Bangladesh
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 and
Bhutan
In Bhutan, Buddha Parinirvana is a national holiday and is also celebrated as
Cambodia
In Cambodia, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated as Visak Bochea and is a public 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.[16]
Mainland China
In Mainland China, this day is generally and commonly called in Chinese 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 light incense and bring food offerings for the monks.[17]
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, Buddha's birthday is a public 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.[18] 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")", which the festival is also a public holiday in Macau.[19]
India
The public holiday for Buddha Purnima in India was initiated by
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 milk porridge. 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.[21]
Tibetans in exile and Tibet celebrate holy Vesak day
Indonesia
In Indonesia, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated as Waisak and is a public holiday. A large procession beginning in Mendut in Java, and ends at Borobudur – the largest Buddhist temple in the world.[22][23]
Japan
In Japan, Buddha's Birthday is known as Kanbutsu-e (
Malaysia
In Malaysia, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated as Wesak Day and is a public holiday celebrated by the sizeable 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.[16]
Mongolia
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 the Mongolian lunar calendar.[26] 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.[27] In December 2019, the popularly celebrated festival by many Mongolian Buddhists, is made a public holiday.[28]
Myanmar
In Myanmar, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated as Full Moon of Kasun and is a
Nepal
In Nepal, Buddha's birthday is celebrated on the full moon day of May. The festival is known by various names, Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Vaishakh Purnima, Saga Dawa, and Vesak.
The event is celebrated by gentle and serene fervour, keeping in mind the very nature of Buddhism. People, especially women, go to common
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 as Thrice Blessed Festival.[30]
North Korea
Buddha's Birthday is occasionally designated as a public holiday in North Korea and is known as Chopail (Korean: 초파일 Chopa-il; Hanja: 初八日, "the first 8th day (of the month in the Lunar Calendar)").[31] Designation of traditional Korean holidays as public holidays in North Korea are determined by the Cabinet a few days before the traditional holiday begins.[31] Buddha's Birthday is a traditional festival in Korean culture, and was celebrated in Korea long before the division of the country. As a result, the festival is still celebrated in North Korea by the country's Buddhist population.[32]
Philippines
In the Philippines, Buddha's Birthday is known as Kaarawan ni Buddha and usually has Chinese elements via its Chinese community. It is a public holiday. However, it can be celebrated by people of all religions. Like in China and Japan, Filipino people bathe statues of the Buddha.[33][34]
Singapore
In Singapore, Buddha's birthday is celebrated as Vesak or Vesak Day and is a public holiday in the country. Buddhist temples hold celebrations and are decorated with Buddhist flags and flowers. Devotees also bring offerings to the temples.[35]
South Korea
In South Korea, the birthday of Buddha is celebrated according to the
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated as Vesak and is a public holiday celebrated on the first full moon day of the month of May. Its date is determined by the Buddhist 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 as Bakthi Gee are sung, and decorative gateways called pandols are erected throughout the country. Temples around the country also hold celebrations, and devotees bring offerings and burn incense.[37] Electric light displays that depict stories from the Buddha's life are also a notable part of Vesak celebrations in the country.[citation needed]
Taiwan
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, the Ministry 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.[38]
Thailand
In Thailand, Buddha's birthday is celebrated as Visakha Puja and is a public holiday. People gather at temples to hear sermons, give donations and chant prayers.[39]
Vietnam
In Vietnam, Buddha's birthday is called in Vietnamese, Lễ Phật Đản/Phật Đản (佛誕, "Birthday of the Buddha"), or Ngày Hội Hoa Phật (Buddha's Lord Flower Festival Day) and is celebrated throughout Vietnam. Many Buddhist temples hold celebrations that attract people from around the country, while pagodas around the country are decorated.[40] From 1958 to 1975, the birthday of Buddha (on the 8th day of the 4th month in the Vietnamese calendar) was recognized as a national public holiday in South Vietnam,[41] 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.
List of names in languages
Buddha's Birthday | |
---|---|
Chinese name | |
Hanyu Pinyin | fódàn |
Yue: Cantonese | |
Jyutping | fat1 daan3 |
Southern Min | |
Hokkien POJ | Hu̍t-á-seⁿ or Hu̍t-á-siⁿ |
Transcriptions | |
---|---|
Revised Romanization | Bucheonim osin nal |
Transcriptions | |
---|---|
Revised Hepburn | Kanbutsu-e |
Outside Asia
Australia
In
On the Australian external territory of Christmas 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.[50][51]
Brazil
Vesak (Hanamatsuri) is widely known and celebrated in Brazil due to the country's large Japanese community. Hanamatsuri has grown in popularity and also attracts interest from the wider non-Japanese Brazilian population. As a result, Hanamatsuri has become a consumerist culture phenomenon in the country and is sometimes locally known as Festa das Flores.[52][53] Hanamatsuri is celebrated in the São Paulo neighbourhood of Liberdade which is home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan.[54] 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.[53][54]
Canada
In Toronto, three Buddhist temples representing the three main branches of Buddhism organize an annual event known as Vesak: Buddha's Birthday.[55] It is held at Mississauga 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.[56][57][58]
United States
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 the
In
Since 1963, the state of Hawaii has recognized 8 April of each year as "Buddha Day", which celebrates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.
See also
- Bun Festival– a festival held on the same day in Hong Kong.
- Hanami
- Holidays in Taiwan
- Holidays in Vietnam
- Holidays of Japan
- List of Buddhist festivals
- List of festivals in Asia
- Public holidays in Bangladesh
- Public holidays in Bhutan
- Public holidays in India
- Public holidays in Macau
- Public holidays in Nepal
- Public holidays in North Korea
- Public holidays in the Philippines
- Public holidays in South Korea
- Public holidays in Sri Lanka
References
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Further reading
- The Folkloric Study of Chopail (Buddha's Birthday), written by Prof. M.Y.Pyeon. Produced by Minsokwon in Seoul Korea 2002.
External links
- Buddha Jayanti About Buddha Jayanti
- Buddha's Birthday बुद्ध जयन्ती Archived 23 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine Buddha's Birthday बुद्ध जयन्ती