Buddhism - Festivals

1. Buddhist festivals vary from one country to another, as Buddhism has developed in different forms.

2. Wesak is a major Buddhist festival.

3. It is celebrated on the first full moon in May.

4. Weask celebrates the Buddha’s birthday and often his enlightenment and death.

5. Buddhists remember how the Buddha gained enlightenment.

6. It is a colourful Buddhist festival, houses are cleaned and decorated with garlands and lanterns.

7. At some celebrations, caged birds may be released to show freedom from suffering.

8. In many countries, Buddhists visit the temple for services and give offerings to the monks of food, flowers and candles.

9. Chanting and prayer are important parts of Wesak.

10. A ‘bathing the Buddha’ ceremony may also be held.

11. Water is poured over a statue of the Buddha to wash any greed or hatred out of people’s minds.

12. At their New Year festivals, Buddhists think how they can be kinder and more generous to people.

13. New Year festivals take place at various times depending on the country.

14. Candles are lit in the temples and fireworks are set off to celebrate the new year.

15. People wear new clothes, visit relatives and exchange gifts.

16. Water plays an important part in New Year festivals.

17. Images of the Buddha are washed and people sprinkle each other with water.

18. The water is to help people start the New Year in a state of purity and cleanliness.

19. There are many other Buddhist festivals such as the Rain’s Retreat, to celebrate the beginning of the monsoon.

20. At the Festival of Floating Bowls people take bowls made of leaves, containing flowers, incense and candles and float them in the rivers.

21. The Festival of the Tooth involves a huge procession, including elephants and a relic of the Buddha.