Celebrating Vesak Day at Borobudur Temple

Vesak (or Thrice-Sacred Day) is a major Buddhist festival that falls on the full moon day in the Buddhist calendar, which is in the month of Vesak, typically in late April, May, or early June in the Gregorian calendar. In Indonesia, this religious holiday is celebrated every year at Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist temple.

What do Buddhists do to celebrate Vesak Day? Let’s find out through this article!

Vesak Day Celebration

According to CNN Indonesia’s webpage, the celebration of Vesak Day was first officially established during the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) in Sri Lanka in 1950. The celebration commemorates three significant moments in the life of the Buddha Gautama.

The first moment is the birth of the Buddha. Prince Siddhartha Gautama, or the Buddha, was a son born to King Suddhodana and Queen Mahamaya in Lumbini Garden in 623 BCE. His birth marked the beginning of Buddhism because Prince Siddhartha was destined to become a Bodhisattva or a future Buddha who would attain the highest enlightenment.

The second moment is when the Buddha attained Great Enlightenment. At the age of 29, Prince Siddhartha left the palace on the full moon day of Vesak in 588 BCE to seek liberation from old age, sickness, and death. This event led Prince Siddhartha to attain Great Enlightenment and earned him the title of Buddha.

The third moment is the Buddha’s Parinibbana. The Buddha passed away at the age of 80 and attained Parinibbana in Kusinara in 543 BCE. This event was followed by a mass prostration by his followers as a final tribute to the Buddha.

Vesak Day at Borobudur Temple

Every year, thousands of Buddhist followers from all over Indonesia, and even from other countries, come to Borobudur Temple to participate in the Vesak Day celebration The Vesak Day celebration at this world’s largest Buddhist temple generally begins three weeks before the full moon, or Detik-Detik Waisak (Moments Before Vesak).

This year, the Vesak Day festivities will begin on 5 May with Community Service at Heroes Cemeteries throughout Indonesia. From 17-19 May, it will be followed by screenings and opening ceremony, and free medical services at Lumbini Garden, Borobudur Temple.

In the following week, from 20-22 May, religious rituals will be held to welcome Vesak Day at Borobudur Temple. These include San Bu Yi Bai (three steps, one bow), Nyingma Monlam Chenmo (world peace prayer), Pradaksina (circling Borobudur), the taking and consecration of the Dharma Flame, the lighting of Vesak lanterns, devotional service and meditation, Atthasila (fasting), Pindapata (walking to collect offerings from the public), Detik-Detik Waisak, and conclude with the release of Vesak lanterns.

Do you want to experience firsthand how Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day You can see the processions mentioned above up close by visiting Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java. Before traveling, whether by land or air, make sure to purchase Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia, which provides comprehensive protection for you and your family while traveling domestically or internationally.

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