Buddha’s Birthday is a significant festival celebrated annually by both the Theravada (Southern) and Mahayana (Northern) branches of Buddhism.
Exploring Buddha’s Birthday
Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated annually on the full moon of the fourth lunar month in countries that follow Buddhism, commemorating the birth of Buddha. During this grand celebration, Buddhists refrain from killing, eat vegetarian meals, release animals, and engage in charitable activities. Since 1999, the Buddha’s Birthday on the 15th of the fourth lunar month has been recognized by the United Nations as a world cultural and spiritual festival.
1. When is Buddha’s Birthday celebrated?
Buddha’s Birthday is one of the three major festivals in Buddhism (Buddha’s Birthday, Vu Lan, and Enlightenment). Before 1959, East Asian countries typically celebrated Buddha’s Birthday on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month.
International Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated on the full moon of the fourth lunar month each year (15/4).
However, at the first World Buddhist Congress held in Colombo (Sri Lanka) from May 25 to June 8, 1950, representatives from 26 member countries agreed to unify the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday on the full moon of the fourth lunar month each year (15/4).
Since 1999, Buddha’s Birthday on the 15th of the fourth lunar month has been recognized by the United Nations as a world cultural and spiritual festival. Buddha’s Birthday is one of the three components of the Triple Gem Festival that the United Nations refers to as Vesak (the celebration of Buddha’s birth, the celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment, and the celebration of Buddha’s passing into Nirvana).
2. Origins, meanings, and common rituals of Buddha’s Birthday
Origins
Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated annually to commemorate the birth of Buddha.
Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, originally Prince Siddhartha of the Shakya clan, is believed to have been born on the full moon of the fourth lunar month in 624 BCE (according to the Theravada tradition) or on the 8th of the fourth lunar month (according to the Mahayana tradition) in Lumbini, located between Kapilavastu and Devadaha in Nepal.
This is why Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated annually on the full moon of the fourth lunar month in Buddhist countries to commemorate Buddha’s birth.
Meaning
On this day, Buddhists often pay homage to the Triple Gem: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha (through offerings, flower gifts, and attending teachings), practice vegetarianism, observe the Five Precepts and the Four Immeasurables (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity), and engage in charitable acts, giving gifts and money to those in need within the community.
Commemorating Vesak also signifies making special efforts to bring happiness and joy to the less fortunate, such as the elderly, the disabled, and the sick, sharing joy and peace with everyone.
In some countries, especially Sri Lanka, two days are dedicated to the celebration of Vesak, during which the sale of alcohol and meat is often prohibited, and all liquor stores and slaughterhouses must close under government decree.
Birds, insects, and animals are released as a “symbolic act of liberation,” freeing those who are imprisoned or tortured against their will.
In India and Nepal, people often wear white when visiting temples and practice vegetarianism. Most Asian countries hold flower parades and chanting ceremonies, and in South Korea, a large lantern festival called Yeon Deung Hoe takes place.
Buddha’s Birthday is a national holiday in many Asian countries such as Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, Cambodia, and more.
Common rituals
Local Buddhist associations organize parades, ceremonies, and release lanterns on rivers…
In Vietnam, Buddha’s Birthday is always celebrated with great solemnity. In addition to the main ceremony held on the full moon of the fourth lunar month, local Buddhist associations also organize parades, ceremonies, release lanterns on rivers, give teachings on Buddhist philosophy interspersed with cultural performances, and set up ceremonial platforms…
On Buddha’s Birthday, Buddhists refrain from killing, everyone practices vegetarianism, cleans their homes, and beautifully decorates altars. Buddhists can also go to temples to assist with volunteer work, listen to teachings about life, and reflect on their actions to purify their minds.
At temples, Buddhists often set up large altars and decorate flower floats. However, all of these activities are carried out in a way that is not excessive or wasteful, all expressed with true sincerity, which is a fundamental principle of Buddhism.
One of the most important rituals that cannot be missed is the Bathing of the Buddha. According to Venerable Thich Dam Cuc (Abbot of Khanh Ly Pagoda in VY Khach Village, Liêm Túc Commune, Thanh Liêm District, Hà Nam Province):
“Bathing the Buddha on Buddha’s Birthday is a way for the children of Buddha to commemorate the anniversary of the Buddha’s birth. He brought the light of truth to illuminate life, dispelling suffering and pain. Bathing the Buddha symbolizes washing away the afflictions within, cleansing away anger to allow for a pure mind, leading to a peaceful life.”
Venerable Thich Dieu Mo – Head of the Buddhist Association of Kinh Mon District (Hai Duong), Abbot of Nhâm Duong Pagoda believes: “Bathing the Buddha is a ritual of pouring fragrant water over the statue of the newborn Buddha, which not only commemorates Buddha’s birth but also carries profound significance in eliminating afflictions, aiming for the purity of body, speech, and mind.”
Bathing the Buddha has become an essential ritual on Buddha’s Birthday every year.
Bathing the Buddha statue does not mean bathing the actual Buddha, but rather, it is a symbolic act. The Buddha does not need to be bathed, nor does he reside in the statue. In reality, bathing the statue of the newborn Buddha Siddhartha is a symbolic act, referred to as bathing the Buddha but actually symbolizes bathing oneself.
The three scoops of fragrant water used to bathe the Buddha have profound meanings: the first scoop is poured over the left arm and shoulder to wash away all wrongdoings. The second scoop is poured over the right arm and shoulder to enhance the good deeds. The third scoop is poured over the head to achieve a pure and wise mind.
Thus, bathing the Buddha serves as a means to cleanse and renew oneself. After performing the Buddha bathing ritual, each person will feel refreshed, clean, bright, and more alert. Around the world, the children of Buddha come together to care for the Grand Buddha’s Birthday, manifesting their beautiful aspirations for a peaceful and joyful life.
During the Buddha bathing ceremony, if possible, monks and laypeople should recite the Buddha Bathing Mantra:
Ngã kim quán mộc chư Như Lai
Tịnh trí trang nghiêm công đức tụ
Ngũ trược chúng sanh tịnh ly cấu
Đồng chứng Như Lai tịnh Pháp thân
Tỳ Gia thành lý vị tằng sanh
Sa La thọ gian vị tằng diệt
Bất sanh bất diệt lão Cồ Đàm
Nhãn trung khán kiến trùng thiên tiết
Kim triêu chính thị tứ ngoạt bát
Tịnh Phạn vương cung sanh Tất Đạt
Cửu long phúng thủy thiên ngoại lai
Bỗng túc Liên Hoa tùng địa phát
Án mâu ni, mâu ni, tam mâu ni, tát phạ ha.
According to the Gregorian calendar, in 2024, Buddha’s Birthday will be held from May 15 to May 22.
