Buddha's Birthday or Buddha Day (also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Buddha Pournima) is a primarily Buddhist festival that is celebrated in most of South, Southeast and East Asia, commemorating the birth of the prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition and archaeologists, Gautama Buddha, , was born at Lumbini in Nepal. Buddha's mother was Queen Maya Devi, who delivered the Buddha while undertaking a journey to her native home, and his father was King Śuddhodana. The Mayadevi Temple, its gardens, and an Ashoka Pillar dating from 249 BCE mark the Buddha's birthplace at Lumbini.
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 South and Southeast Asia, the Buddha's birth is celebrated as part of Vesak, a festival that also celebrates the Buddha's enlightenment (on the day of the full moon, hence pūrṇimā) and his mahaparinirvana. In Tibetan Buddhism, Buddha's birth (7th day of the 4th Month) is celebrated separately from Saga Dawa Duchen, the annual festival celebrating his enlightenment and mahaparinirvana (15th Day of the 4th Month)."Rigpa Tibetan Calendar 2023–2024, Water Rabbit Year 2150", p.54,56. Terton Sogyal Trust : Zam, 2022. In East Asia, Vietnam and the Philippines, the enlightenment and death of the Buddha are observed as separate holidays.
Date
The exact date of Buddha's Birthday is based on the Asian lunisolar calendars and is primarily celebrated in Vaisakha month of the Buddhist calendar and the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar. This is the etymology behind the term Vesak. In modern-day India and Nepal, where the historical Buddha 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.
South and Southeast Asia and Mongolia
In South Asian and Southeast Asian countries (except Vietnam and the Philippines) as 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 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, 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.
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.
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. It is quite possible however, that places with heavier Chinese influences such as Ryukyu may keep these old traditions.
Place Archeological evidence from Kapilvastu, where Śuddhodana's palace was located, was uncovered in 2021. 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.
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 viharas, selling Bengali food (largely vegetarian), clothes, and toys. Performances of Buddha's life are also presented. Buddhist monks teach celebrants about the Dharma and the Five Precepts (panchashila). Buddhists then attend a congression inside the monastery where the chief monk delivers a speech discussing the Buddha and the Three 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."বুদ্ধ পূর্ণিমা", সিলেবাসে নেই, দৈনিক কালের কণ্ঠ; ১১ মে ২০১১ খ্রিস্টাব্দ। পৃ. ৪। পরিদর্শনের তারিখ: ১৭ মে ২০১১ খ্রিস্টাব্দ।
Bhutan In Bhutan, Buddha Parinirvana is a national holiday and is also celebrated as Saga 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 Dawa Vesak 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.
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.
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.
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. 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 in Macau.
India
In India, the holiday is also known as Vesak. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death (parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha in the Theravada, Tibetan, and Navayana traditions. The public holiday for Buddha Purnima in India was initiated by B. R. Ambedkar, when he was the Minister of Law and Justice. It is celebrated in many parts of India, especially in Maharashtra, where 77% of Indian Buddhists live).
Throughout the month of Vaishakha, holy and virtuous activities are conducted in homes, temples, monasteries, and public places. Devotees and followers take special precepts, the Mahayana Posadha, during the holy month and especially on the day of the full moon. Yogis also choose to do special types of meditation on this day, as it is said to be conducive to spiritual growth. Indian Buddhists go to viharas to observe a longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhist sutra. In the Theravada tradition, the dress code is white. Kheer, a sweet rice porridge, is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a milkmaid who offered the Buddha a bowl of milk porridge. At the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, 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 Gautama Buddha perform special prayers. At the National Museum of India in New Delhi, the Buddha's sacred relics are open for public viewing.
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.
Japan
In Japan, Buddha's Birthday is known as Kanbutsu-e () or Hanamatsuri (Flower Festival) () 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 pour ama-cha (a beverage prepared from Hydrangea serrata, a variety of hydrangea) 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 in Nara in 606. Lion dancing is also a major tradition practiced during Buddha's Birthday and has become associated with the festival in Japan.
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.
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. 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. In December 2019, the popularly celebrated festival by many Mongolian Buddhists, was made a public holiday.
Myanmar In Myanmar, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated as Full Moon of Kasun and is a public holiday. It is celebrated by watering the Bodhi tree and chanting. In large pagodas, music and dance is also performed as part of the celebrations.
Nepal