Vesak Poya Day

Buddhists worldwide commemorate the Buddha’s Birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana on the Vesak Poya Day in such a pleasing way. Not only Sri Lankan Buddhists celebrate the Vesak festival in such grandeur. Countries like India, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, Bhutan, Cambodia, and Indonesia also hold grand Vesak commemoration programs. Moreover, countries belonging to both Mahayana and Theravada traditions get together and similarly commemorate these three events.

It is notable how Buddhists from all countries and all traditions get together in temples on this day. It is common for all Buddhist countries to gather in temples to celebrate the auspicious events of Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana by Pratipatti puja and Amisa puja.

The ‘Perahera’ cultural event, which is held parallel to the Vesak festival in Sri Lanka is also held in Buddhist countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Also, decorating houses, streets and public places with lanterns and lights are standard features in these countries.

This Vesak festival is known as ‘Vaishak Pooja’ in Thailand. It is marked a public holiday there. In addition to the shared cultural features mentioned above, on this day, Thai people release the cattle and fish destined to die. It is also a prevalent act of charity in Sri Lanka.