Buddhist Holidays
Buddhism is a religion with varied facets. It is quite adaptable and collegial by one and all. The annual holidays and festivals celebrated in this religion are by and far same all around the world and most of them are maintained to commemorate important events in the life of the Buddha or various Bodhisattvas. The dates though are often decided upon the basis of the lunar calendar and therefore differ by country and tradition.
Buddhist holidays more often than not begin with a local visit to the temple, where food or other items are doled out to the monks and credos are taken in from the monks. The afternoon usually consists of giving out food to the poor to earn thankfulness, circumambulating the temple three times in honor of the Three Jewels and chanting and meditation all through.
Most vital of the lot are referred to below:
Mahaparinirvana: The festival venerating the transient of Buddha into enlightenment upon his death, is celebrated on the same day every year, the February 15. The lights in the meditation hall are lit; the parishioners chant Buddhist scriptures hoping that the Buddha teachings will last for all time.
Vesak (Buddha Day): Vesak holds the utmost significance in Buddhism. On the first full moon day in the month of May, Buddhists all over the world celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha.
Buddhist New Year: In Theravadin countries like Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Thailand, the New Year is celebrated in all for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries, the New Year usually starts on the first full moon day in January, whereas the Tibetan Buddhists mark the day in March.
Sangha Day (Magha Puja Day or Fourfold Assembly Day): Sangha Day—celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month i.e. March—commemorates the Buddha's visit to Veruvana Monastery in the city of Rajagaha , when 1,250 Arhats were said to have spontaneously returned from their wanderings to pay their reverence to the Buddha.
Dhamma Day (Asalha Puja Day): Dhamma Day is observed on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month i.e. July. It fends for the legend of the turning of the wheel of the Dharma—Lord Buddha's first sermon—at the Sarnath Deer Park.
Uposatha (Observance Day): Observance Day refers to each of the four traditional monthly holy days that continue to be observed in Theravada countries—the new moon, the full moon and two quarter moon days. In Sri Lanka the day is known as Poya Day.
Vassa: Vassa or the Rains Retreat start in on the full moon day of July and go on into October in all Theravadin countries. It is when monks enter the seclusion of monasteries to spend time in contemplation.
Kathina Ceremony (Robe Offering Ceremony): Kathina Ceremony is held on any convenient date within one month of the conclusion of the three month Vassa. On this day, the laity or non-monastic offer new robes and other necessities to the monks and nuns.
Loy Krathong (Festival of Floating Bowls): At the end of the Kathina Festival season, when the rivers and canals are oozing full of water, it is time for Loy Krathong Festival in all parts of Thailand , on the full moon night of December. The leaves bowls with flowers, candles and incense sticks are floated in the water. And with they disappearing from sight, all the bad luck is suppose to disappear as well.