The person to whom believers ascribe to being the historical Buddha in many cultures is Prince Siddhartha, who was born around the 4th century BC.
While this birthday is a holy occasion shared by many practicing Buddhists, the date on which it is celebrated is not. What date one celebrates the birthday of Buddha can vary depending on the country, region, and cultural tradition.
Different Days
In some Asian countries, the birthday of Buddha is celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth month when going by the lunisolar calendar, which would make the date of his birth May 15.
However, primarily in South Asian countries, Buddhists instead turn to the first full moon of the month of May, which happens to fall on May 23 this year on the Western calendar.
Theravada Buddhists
Some Buddhists called Theravada Buddhists combine the celebration of Buddha’s life into a single holiday called Vesak or Visakha Puja, which will fall during the time Buddha was thought to have been born.
However, Tibetan Buddhists, while also combining the celebration of Buddha’s life into one holiday, will observe a remembrance called Saga Dawa Duchen, which occurs in June.
Mahayana Buddhists
Some followers of Buddhism, known as Mahayana Buddhists, take a different approach altogether and divide Buddha’s birth, death, and enlightenment into three seperate holidays.
In Korea, the birth celebration starts a whole week before the Vesak, and in Japan, this celebration always falls on April 8 since the country adopted the Gregorian calendar.
Why the Difference?
The difference in celebration dates even among those Buddhists who share similar beliefs is due to a variety of reasons but one of the main ones is the different calendar systems. The western Gregorian calendar has varying dates because of the implementation of a “leap year” every four years to keep up with the variance from the Earth’s rotation.
However, Asian lunisolar calendars are based on the moon’s phases and the sun’s longitude, resulting in different dates.
Why is the Celebration Significant?
In Buddhism, the Buddha was an individual who attained what is known as “full enlightenment” and was able to deduce the effects of karma on the cycle of life and death.
Buddhists use the birthdate of Prince Siddhartha as a time to reflect on the Buddha’s teachings and ensure that believers are applying them to their everyday lives.
Celebration in Korea
In Korea the birth of Buddha is marked by a celebration called Youndeunghoe, where a parade of thousands of paper lanterns are hung in the streets.
On the date of Buddha’s birth, temples offer to serve free meals and refreshments to visitors who come to observe the holiday.
North Versus South Korea
The division between North and South Korea has waxed and waned since the two countries were split, causing celebrations to slightly differ.
In North Korea, Buddha’s birthday is not an official holiday, but Buddhist temples in the country have observed the occasion there since 1988.
China Celebration
In China, observers carry out a bathing ritual where they pour blessed water over a statue of an infant Buddha in celebration of his birthday.
The bathing ceremony is done to symbolize a legend where Buddha was baptized with water by dragons after he would no longer enter the cycle of rebirth.
Hong Kong
Buddhists in Hong Kong celebrate Buddha’s birthday as a public holiday and will light lanterns that symbolize the enlightenment of the Buddha.
Similar to China, Hong Kong will also partake in a bathing ritual where statues of Buddha will be covered in water. Hong Kong will celebrate on May 15.
Japan
Typically in Japan, Buddha’s birthday is observed on April 8 through flower festivals in Buddhist temples.
Using a combination of colorful flowers, a statue of a baby Buddha, and a bowl of water, a priest will recreate the scene of Buddha’s birth in the garden of Lumbini.
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, those who celebrate Buddha’s birthday even decorate their homes with candles, paper, and bamboo lanterns.
Observers sing songs, burn incense, and produce light displays, called Pandals, that depict various events in Buddha’s life. The capital of Sri Lanka holds one of the biggest Buddhist celebrations in the world during this time.
