Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.
- Siddhartha Gautama
Vesak Day, also known as Buddha Purnima is one of the most sacred days not just for the followers of Buddhism but for mankind. It is said that on this day, Gautama Buddha took birth, attained enlightenment and embraced death. While each country with a large Buddhist population celebrates this day with diverse customs and Vesak Day wishes, eventually they all seek peace and contentment. Let us take a look at the interesting ways in which Vesak Day is celebrated worldwide.
Sri Lanka
From the smallest window, tallest building to the streets, Sri Lanka is heavily adorned with paper lanterns and beautiful lights. The believers come onto the streets of Colombo to participate in a float procession and parade with Buddha statues as decoration and food carts to binge from. Citizens of Sri Lanka commemorate this holy day by sending out Vesak Day greetings to loved ones and enjoying themselves thoroughly under the dazzling array of lights and music.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, almost 50% of the population that practises Buddhism celebrates Buddha Purnima or locally known as Phật Đản with great enthusiasm. Apart from sending Vesak Day greetings to one another, the Monks give moving speeches and lead calls for prayers. The worshipers burn incense, gift fruit baskets to the needy and light candles in the rivers. In various cities, the homes and buildings can be seen decorated with beautiful lotus flowers.
Bhutan
Per the Bhutanese calendar, Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana or Duechen Nga Zom always falls on the 15th day of the fourth month. During this holy period, the Bhutan government places a ban on the sale of meat. On this day, you can witness a thousand devotees in temples and monasteries offering prayers, exchanging Vesak Day wishes and lighting butter lamps in the hope to double the spiritual merit of the day. The public also gets a chance to look at the religious idols and relics.
Nepal
Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha witnesses a large flock of believers who visit the Lumbini Province. They do so to make donations for the deprived communities and to pay their tribute to the beautiful monasteries. The Nepalese are seen donning an all-white attire, staying clear of meat, reciprocating Vesak Day greetings and enjoying the delicious sweet rice porridge. The rice porridge is significant as this dish is known to be one of the links to his enlightenment.
Myanmar
Myanmar traditionally commemorates Vesak Day on the full moon day of Kason which falls in the second month of the lunar calendar. The devotees perform the most important act; to water the sacred Maha-Bodhi tree (the holy Banyan tree) using earthen pots. It is believed that Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment while sitting under this particular tree.
Singapore
On this day, the Buddhist flag is hoisted while the believers sing hymns in praise of Lord Buddha, his teachings and disciples. Along with some heartfelt Vesak Day wishes, people also make offerings of flowers, joss sticks and candles to the temples. The rest of the day is either spent doing good deeds like donating money or in meditation. This divine day ends with a lovely candlelight procession through the streets of Singapore.
Now that you are aware of how the Buddhist community celebrate and exchange Vesak Day greetings amongst each other, which country would you like to visit on 26th May?
Gurnika Talwar is FNP’s marketing and creative content writer and has been with the firm since 2020. She is based in Delhi, India and has been in this field for 2+ years.
She started her journey as a freshman but since then has created content on several mediums. With blogging on gift ideas, food, gardening tips and whatnot as her primary goal, she has also curated content for social media and brand films. As a storyteller, she creates original, genuine, and relatable content to connect with the mass. Besides work, you’ll find her chit-chatting about movies or making sarcastic jokes.
From the smallest window, tallest building to the streets, Sri Lanka is heavily adorned with paper lanterns and beautiful lights. The believers come onto the streets of Colombo to participate in a float procession and parade with Buddha statues as decoration and food carts to binge from. Citizens of Sri Lanka commemorate this holy day by sending out Vesak Day greetings to loved ones and enjoying themselves thoroughly under the dazzling array of lights and music.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, almost 50% of the population that practises Buddhism celebrates Buddha Purnima or locally known as Phật Đản with great enthusiasm. Apart from sending Vesak Day greetings to one another, the Monks give moving speeches and lead calls for prayers. The worshipers burn incense, gift fruit baskets to the needy and light candles in the rivers. In various cities, the homes and buildings can be seen decorated with beautiful lotus flowers.
Bhutan
Per the Bhutanese calendar, Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana or Duechen Nga Zom always falls on the 15th day of the fourth month. During this holy period, the Bhutan government places a ban on the sale of meat. On this day, you can witness a thousand devotees in temples and monasteries offering prayers, exchanging Vesak Day wishes and lighting butter lamps in the hope to double the spiritual merit of the day. The public also gets a chance to look at the religious idols and relics.
Nepal
Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha witnesses a large flock of believers who visit the Lumbini Province. They do so to make donations for the deprived communities and to pay their tribute to the beautiful monasteries. The Nepalese are seen donning an all-white attire, staying clear of meat, reciprocating Vesak Day greetings and enjoying the delicious sweet rice porridge. The rice porridge is significant as this dish is known to be one of the links to his enlightenment.
Myanmar
Myanmar traditionally commemorates Vesak Day on the full moon day of Kason which falls in the second month of the lunar calendar. The devotees perform the most important act; to water the sacred Maha-Bodhi tree (the holy Banyan tree) using earthen pots. It is believed that Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment while sitting under this particular tree.
Singapore
On this day, the Buddhist flag is hoisted while the believers sing hymns in praise of Lord Buddha, his teachings and disciples. Along with some heartfelt Vesak Day wishes, people also make offerings of flowers, joss sticks and candles to the temples. The rest of the day is either spent doing good deeds like donating money or in meditation. This divine day ends with a lovely candlelight procession through the streets of Singapore.
Now that you are aware of how the Buddhist community celebrate and exchange Vesak Day greetings amongst each other, which country would you like to visit on 26th May? 
