Buddhism - Vaisakha Pujaj Wesak 29th May 2018

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Buddhism^Wiki - Vaisakha Pujaj Wesak^Wiki 29th May 2018
A celebration of the Buddha^Wiki's birthday,
celebrated with  much colour.  In some countries there are special Wesak  lanterns made, and caged birds are released.




On Wesak Theravadin Buddhists celebrate the birth, enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya in North India, and the final passing away of Gautama Buddha. Mahayanist Buddhists have separate days for each of these events and on Buddha Day celebrate both the birth and the enlightenment of the Buddha. They also celebrate his enlightenment on Bodhi Day in December. It is common in almost all Buddhist traditions to decorate the houses where Buddhists live with lanterns and garlands, and the temples are ringed with little oil lamps, consisting of a simple cloth or cotton wick in a small clay vessel of oil. Many Buddhists send ‘Wesak cards’ to their friends. Particular stress is laid on this day on the Buddha’s enlightenment and many lay people come together at monasteries for this, the biggest of the Buddhist festivals.