Buddha's Birthday

Buddha's Birthday
A statue of the child Gautama Buddha as depicted in his apocryphal story of birth
Official name	Fódàn (佛誕) Phật Đản Chopa-il (초파일, 初八日) बुद्ध जयन्ती
Also called	Buddha's Birthday Buddha Purnima Buddha Jayanti
Observed by	Buddhists Hindus
Type	Buddhist, cultural
Significance	Celebrates the birthday of Gautama Buddha
Date	varies by region: April 8 or May 8 (Japan) second Sunday in May (Taiwan) 8th day of 4th lunar month (mainland East Asia) first full moon of Vaisakha (South Asia)
2015 date	4 May
2016 date	14 May
2017 date	10 May
2018 date	21 May
Frequency	annual
Related to	Vesak

Buddha's Birthday
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	佛誕
Simplified Chinese	佛诞
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin fó dàn Yue: Cantonese Jyutping fat1 daan3 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Hu̍t-á-seⁿ or Hu̍t-á-siⁿ
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese alphabet	Phật Đản
Korean name
Hangul	부처님 오신 날
Transcriptions Revised Romanization Buchonim osin nal
Japanese name
Kanji	灌仏会
Transcriptions Revised Hepburn Kanbutsu-e

Buddha's Birthday is a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mahayana Buddhism to commemorate the birth of the Prince Siddhartha Gautama, later the Gautama Buddha and founder of Buddhism. According to the Theravada Tripitaka scriptures (from Pali, meaning "three baskets"), Gautama was born in Lumbini in modern-day Nepal, around the year 563 BCE, and raised in Kapilavastu.^[1][2]

According to this legend, briefly after the birth of young prince Gautama, an astrologer named Asita visited the young prince's father—King Śuddhodana—and prophesied that Siddhartha would either become a great king or renounce the material world to become a holy man, depending on whether he saw what life was like outside the palace walls.

Śuddhodana was determined to see his son become a king, so he prevented him from leaving the palace grounds. But at age 29, despite his father's efforts, Gautama ventured beyond the palace several times. In a series of encounters—known in Buddhist literature as the four sights—he learned of the suffering of ordinary people, encountering an old man, a sick man, a corpse and, finally, an ascetic holy man, apparently content and at peace with the world. These experiences prompted Gautama to abandon royal life and take up a spiritual quest.

Date

The exact date of Buddha's Birthday is based on the Asian lunisolar calendars and is primarily celebrated in Baisakh month of the Buddhist calendar and the Bikram Sambat Hindu calendar, and hence it is also called Vesak. In Nepal, the birth-country of Buddha, it is celebrated on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month of the Buddhist calendar. In Theravada countries following the Buddhist calendar, it falls on a full moon Uposatha day, typically in the 5th or 6th lunar month. In China and Korea, it is celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The date varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar, but usually falls in April or May. In leap years it may be celebrated in June.

South Asia and Southeast Asia

In Nepal and neighboring South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, Buddha's birthday is celebrated on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month of the Buddhist calendar and the Hindu calendar, which usually falls in April or May month of the Western Gregorian calendar. The festival is known as Buddha Purnima, as Purnima means full moon day in Sanskrit. It is also called is Buddha Jayanti, with Jayanti meaning birthday in Nepali and Hindi.

• Hindi/Nepali: Buddha Purnima (बुद्ध पूर्णिमा), Budhha Jayanti (बुद्ध जयन्ती)

The corresponding Western Gregorian calendar dates varies from year to year:

• 2014: May 14
• 2015: May 4
• 2016: May 21

East Asia except Japan

In many East Asian countries Buddha's Birth is celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th month in the Chinese lunar calendar (in Japan since 1873 on April 8 of the Gregorian calendar), and the day is an official holiday in Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. The date falls from the end of April to the end of May in the Gregorian calendar.

The primarily solar Gregorian calendar date varies from year to year:

• 2013: May 17
• 2014: May 6
• 2015: May 25
• 2016: May 14
• 2017: May 3
• 2018: May 22
• 2019: May 12
• 2020: April 30

Nepal

In Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha, his birthday is celebrated on the full moon day of May. The festival is known by various names, Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Vaishakh Purnima and Vesak. Purnima means full moon day in Sanskrit. Among the Newars of Nepal, especially from the Shakya clan of Newars, it is of great importance because they consider it as a continuation of the sage of the Śākyas- the clan that Lord Buddha's family belonged to. Thus, they celebrate the festival which is in their language known as Swānyā Punhi (स्वांया पुन्हि), the full moon day of flowers.^[3] The day marks not just the birth of Shakyamuni Gautam Buddha but also the day of his Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana.

The event is celebrated by gentle and serene fervour, keeping in mind the very nature of Buddhism. People, especially women, go to common Viharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhist sutra, as something like a service. The usual dress is pure white. Non-vegetarian food is normally avoided. Kheer, a sweet rice porridge is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who, in Gautama Buddha's life, offered the Buddha a bowl of milk porridge after he had given up the path of asceticism following six years of extreme austerity. This event was one major link in his enlightenment.

It is said that the Buddha originally followed the way of asceticism to attain enlightenment sooner, as was thought by many at that time. He sat for a prolonged time with inadequate food and water, which caused his body to shrivel so as to be indistinguishable from the bark of the tree that he was sitting under. Seeing the weak Siddhartha Gautama, a girl named Sujata placed a bowl of milk in front of him as an offering. Realising that without food one can do nothing, the Buddha refrained from harming his own body.

Taiwan

In 1999 the Taiwanese government set Buddha's birthday as the second Sunday of May, the same date as Mother's Day.^[4][5]

Japan

As a result of the Meiji Restoration, Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in lieu of the Chinese lunar calendar in 1873. Therefore, in most Japanese temples, Buddha's birth is celebrated on the Gregorian calendar date April 8; only a few celebrate it on the orthodox Chinese calendar date of the eighth day of the fourth lunisolar month.

Celebrations in each country

Asia

Cambodia

In Cambodia, Buddha's birthday known as Visak Bochea is a public holiday and monks around the country carry flags, lotus flowers, incense and candles to acknowledge Vesak. People also take part in alms giving to the monks.^[6]

China

In China, celebrations often occur in Buddhist temples where people light incense and bring food offerings for the monks.^[7] In Hong Kong, Buddha's birthday is a public holiday. Lanterns are lit to symbolise the Buddha's enlightenment and many people visit the temple to pay their respects. They also poured a medicine liquid onto statues of Buddha. The bathing of the Buddha is a major feature of Buddha's birthday celebrations in the city.^[8]

India

Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanthi in South India or Tathagata is a public holiday in India.^[9] It is celebrated especially in Sikkim, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bodh Gaya, various parts of North Bengal such as Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Kurseong, and Maharashtra (where 73% of total Indian Buddhists live) and other parts of India as per Indian calendar. Buddhist People go to common Viharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhist sutra, as something like a service. The usual dress is pure white. Non-vegetarian food is normally avoided. Kheer, a sweet rice porridge is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who, in Gautama Buddha's life, offered the Buddha a bowl of milk porridge. Informally called "Buddha's Birthday", it actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha in the Theravada tradition....

Indonesia

In Indonesia, Buddha's birthday known as Waisak is a public holiday. A large procession beginning in Mendut in Java ends at Borobudur – the largest Buddhist temple in the world.^[10][11]

Japan

In Japan, Buddha's birth is also celebrated according to the Buddhist calendar but is not a national holiday. On this day, all temples hold Kanbutsu-e (Japanese: 灌仏会), 降誕会 (Gōtan-e), 仏生会 (Busshō-e), 浴仏会 (Yokubutsu-e), 龍華会 (Ryūge-e), 花会式 (Hana-eshiki) or 花祭(Hana-matsuri, meaning 'Flower Festival'). The first event was held at Asuka-dera in 606. Japanese people pour ama-cha (a beverage prepared from a variety of hydrangea) on small Buddha statues decorated with flowers, as if bathing a newborn baby.

Korea

In Korea, the birthday of Buddha is celebrated according to the Lunisolar calendar. This day is called 석가탄신일 (Seokga tansinil), meaning "Buddha's birthday" or 부처님 오신 날 (Bucheonim osin nal) meaning "the day when the Buddha came". Lotus lanterns cover the entire temple throughout the month which are often flooded down the street. On the day of Buddha's birth, many temples provide free meals and tea to all visitors. The breakfast and lunch provided are often sanchae bibimbap.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, Buddha's birthday known as Wesak Day is a public holiday and is celebrated by the sizeable minority Buddhist population in the country. Temples across the country are decorated and caged animals are set free. People engage in prayers, chanting and giving across the country.^[12]

Myanmar

In Myanmar, Buddha's birthday known as Full Moon of Kason is a public holiday. It is celebrated by watering the Bodhi tree and chanting. In large pagodas music and dance is also performed as part of the celebrations.^[6]

Philippines

Around 2% of the population in the Philippines is Buddhist. Buddha's birthday known locally as Araw ng Bisyak is not a public holiday but is celebrated by the small community of Buddhists in the country. The bathing of the Buddha statue is a significant part of the celebrations in the country.^[13]

Singapore

In Singapore, Buddha's birthday known as Vesak or Vesak Day is a public holiday in the country. Buddhist temples hold celebrations and are decorated with Buddhist flags and flowers. Devotees also bring offerings to the temples.^[14]

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, Buddha's Birthday known as Vesak is a public holiday and is celebrated on the first full moon day of the month of May. People engage in religious observances and decorate houses and streets with candles and paper lanterns as well as bamboo-framed lanterns. Dansalas is practised and refers to the free offering of food and drink to people. Bakthi Gee – devotional songs are sung and pandols which are decorative gateways are erected throughout the country. Temples around the country also hold celebrations and devotees bring offerings and burn incense.^[15] Electric light displays that depict stories from the Buddha's life are also a notable part of Vesak celebrations in the country.^[16]

Taiwan

In Taiwan, Buddha's birthday is a public holiday. Devotees pour fragrant water over Buddha statues to symbolise the beginning of a fresh start in life.^[17]

Thailand

In Thailand, Buddha's birthday known as Visakha Puja is a public holiday. People gather at temples to hear sermons, give donations and chant prayers.^[18]

Vietnam

Buddha's birthday is celebrated throughout Vietnam. Many Buddhist temples hold celebrations that attract people from around the country and pagodas around the country are decorated.^[19] From 1958 to 1975, Lễ Phật Đản, the birthday of Buddha (on the 8th day of the 4th month in the Chinese lunar calendar) was recognized as a national public holiday in South Vietnam,^[20] enjoyed with float and lantern parade on the streets.

Festivities outside of Asia

Australia

In Sydney, Buddha's birthday is celebrated at the Nan Tien Temple in Wollongong Australia and another celebration also organised by Nan Tien Temple is held at Darling Harbour which features Buddha's birthday ceremony, a variety of vegetarian food and culture stalls and multicultural performances from China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Australia and other cultures.^[21][22] Other temples in the Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple group in Australia on the eighth day of the fourth month of the China lunar calendar also hold celebrations.^[23] In Brisbane, Buddha Birth Day Festival is held annually and features a variety of pan-Asian food and performances from multicultural acts.^[24] It is a weekend-long festival which draws over 200 000 visitors.^[25] In Melbourne, the weekend-long festival called Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival is held at Federation Square around April/May.^[26] In Perth, a two-day celebration also known as Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival is held at Langley Park.^[27] Local Buddhist temples and smaller towns around the country such as Bendigo, Victoria also hold celebrations.^[28]

On the Australian external territory of Christmas Island, Buddha's Birthday known as "Vesak Day" on the island is celebrated alongside many other celebrations common in Australia and Malaysia as well as local celebrations of the island.^[29][30]

Canada

In Toronto, a number of Buddhist temples and organisations are involved in an annual event known as Vesak: Buddha's Birthday.^[31] It is held at Mississauga Celebration Square and features a number of Buddhist themed events and activities as well as cultural acts from Asia, including China, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.^[32][33]

United States of America

Celebration of Buddha's Birthday in the United States differ from community to community, depending on ethnicity and nationality.

The Japanese celebration on 8 April has been significant in the Bay Area for some decades. In 1968 the first circumambulation of Mt. Tamalpais to celebrate Buddha's Birthday was conducted. Starting in 1969 at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Hana-Matsuri was celebrated each spring. Dressed in formal black robes, the roughly 70 monks and students formed a formal procession to the Horse Pasture with the leader periodically ringing a small, clear bell. A temporary stone altar was built under a huge oak tree in a gorgeous field of green grass and abundant wildflowers; a small statue of a baby Buddha was placed upon it in a metal basin. Then each person would in turn approach the altar, ladle one thin-lipped bamboo dipperful of sweet green tea over the statue, bow, and walk to one side.^[34]

In New York, the International Lotus Lantern Parade has been a notable and successful annual event held at Union Square Park. The event celebrates the Buddha's birthday and Yeon Deung Hoe (연등회), a Korean lantern celebration that is held during Vesak. The festival features a number of Buddhist themed events and is started off by numerous Buddhist centres of Japanese, Korean and Sri Lankan origins for example.^[35][36]

See also

References

Further reading

• The Folkloric Study of Chopail (Buddha's Birthday), written by Prof. M.Y.Pyeon. Produced by Minsokwon in Seoul Korea 2002.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Buddha's Birthday.

• Buddha's Birthday बुद्ध जयन्ती Buddha's Birthday बुद्ध जयन्ती