Vesak or Buddha Day

Vesak or Buddha Day is the major festival of the year for Buddhists from the Theravada tradition. Vesak celebrates the birth, death and enlightenment of the Buddha.

Who celebrates?

Buddhists around the world.

How do people celebrate?

• Buddhists will visit their local temple for teachings, chanting and praying
• Offerings are given to monks of food, candles and flowers
• Families may also decorate their homes with lanterns and wear special white clothes
• Buddha statues are also bathed, to remind people to clear their minds of negative thoughts, and given gifts of gratitude.

What should I know?

• Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama and was a teacher, philosopher and spiritual leader who founded of Buddhism
• In Buddhism birth and death are entwined as all who die are born again
• The date celebrated varies in different countries
• Traditions and celebrations may vary from country to country
• In the 2011 census 0.5% of the UK identified as Buddhist.

How can I support others?

• Ask people if they or their families will be celebrating
• Use the additional resources to learn more about Buddhism
• Ask people about their faith and whether they’d be willing to share what it means to them
• Familiarise yourself with the diversity of religion in your area and how representative your organisation is of the community you serve.

History Channel: The life of Buddha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z27O-Lh-s8I

The Buddhist society resources: https://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/page/resources

BBC: History of Buddhism: https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/history/britishbuddhism_1.shtml