What Countries Celebrate Vesak Day?

Vesak Day, or Thrice-Sacred Day, is the most important religious holiday for Buddhist followers. On this holiday, Buddhists celebrate the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), his attainment of Great Enlightenment and becoming the Buddha, as well as his passing. In countries with diverse Buddhist populations, Vesak is typically celebrated with large-scale festivals or commemorations in countries with diverse Buddhist populations. So, what is the celebration like? Here is a list of countries that celebrate Vesak Day!

Japan

In Japan, Vesak or Vesākha, is more commonly known as Kanbutsue (灌仏会), Goutan’e (降誕会), Busshoue (仏生会), Yokubutsue (浴仏会), Ryuge’e (龍華会), or Hanaeshiki (花会式). According to the Encyclopedia’s webpage, these names are based on a legend of a dragon appearing in the sky on the Buddha’s birthday and pouring soma over the Buddha’s body.

In the past, Vesak celebrations in Japan fell on the 8th day of the fourth month in the Lunar calendar, based on a belief that it was the day the Buddha was born. Since the Meiji government era in the 19th century, Vesak has been celebrated every 8th of April in the solar (Gregorian) calendar, coinciding with springtime.

If you plant to vacation in Japan in the spring season, you will have the chance to witness the Vesak Day festivities. Typically, the festival is marked by ornaments or replica temples decorated with spring flowers and Buddha statues placed on top of the replicas. In some parts of Japan, Vesak is also celebrated by pouring amacha (甘茶) or sweet tea over Buddha statues.

Nepal

In Nepal, Vesak is called Buddha Jayanti. This day is widely celebrated throughout Nepal, and Vesak is designated as a national public holiday similar to Vesak Day in Indonesia.

Two places in Nepal will be particularly bustling with visitors during Vesak Day. The first is Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, located 234 kilometers from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The second is Swayambu, a sacred Buddhist temple whose main gate is only open during Vesak Day.

When Vesak arrives, people from all over the Kathmandu Valley and other countries will visit those two sites for pilgrimage as part of the Buddha’s birthday celebration. They also spend the day by donating food and clothing to those in need and donating money to monasteries and schools where Buddhist teachings are conducted.

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, Vesak is a religious and cultural festival held on the full moon day of the Lunar calendar, or usually around May in the Gregorian calendar. For one week, Buddhist followers and people of all faiths commemorate the three phases of Buddha Gautama’s life.  the three phases of Buddha Gautama’s life.

During that week, the sale of alcohol and fresh meat is prohibited, and slaughterhouses must be closed. Instead, people participate in religious activities and give donations. They also construct pavilions (pandal) to depict stories from Jataka tales and hang colorful lanterns (kuudu) along the streets and in front of houses to liven up the Vesak festival.

Indonesia

Massive Vesak Day celebrations are not exclusive to other countries. Indonesia also hosts a grand Vesak celebration at the world’s largest Buddhist temple, Borobudur Temple, in Magelang, Central Java.

During that moment, thousands of Buddhist monks from Indonesia and other countries gather to perform Pradaksina, where they chant mantras and meditate around the Borobudur Temple as a sign of reverence for the temple. Afterwards, these monks bottle holy water (a symbol of humility) and carry the sacred fire (a symbol of light and enlightenment).

They also do the Pindapata ritual, where they receive alms or donations from people in Indonesia. The peak of the Vesak Day celebration is usually marked by the Dharma Shanti ceremony at Lumbini Garden, Borobudur Temple, followed by the release of a thousand lanterns and collective prayers.

Other than those four countries, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Singapore also celebrate Vesak Day with grand festivities. If you are interested in experiencing the celebration firsthand, go visit these countries during the spring season or around March. And don’t forget to protect yourself with Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia!