Buddhist celebrations - an event full of kindness and joy.Annually, Buddhists all over the world celebrate a lot of holidays, and organize festivals, most of which are associated with important events from the life of Buddha or various bodhisattvas.The dates are set according to the lunar calendar and can not be the same in different countries and traditions.Usually, the day of the festival lay people sent to a local Buddhist temple, in the early morning to bring food to the monks and other items, as well as listen to instruction in morality.Full-time can be devoted to helping the poor, walking around the temple or stupa in the adoration of the Three Jewels, the recitation of mantras and meditation.The most important Buddhist festivals are briefly described below.
Buddhist New Year
in different parts of the world this holiday falls on a different date.In Theravada countries (Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos) New Year is celebrated on the day of the full moon of April and is celebrated for three days.In the Mahayana tradition, the New Year, usually begins the first full moon of January, and the bulk of Tibetan Buddhists celebrate it in March.In South Asia the day decided to pour water on each other.
Holidays in the Theravada tradition - Wesak (Buddha Day)
Some Buddhist holidays are of particular importance and are held on a large scale, such as Vesak - Buddha Day.The full moon in May Buddhists all over the world celebrate the day of the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha (except for leap year, when the holiday falls on the beginning of June).The word "Wesak" is used as the name of the month of the Indian calendar.
Magha Puja (The day of the Sangha)
Magha Puja is celebrated on the full moon of the third lunar month, and may occur in February or March.This holy day serves as a reminder of an important event in the life of the Buddha, which occurred in the early period of his activity as a teacher.After the first gate in the rainy season the Buddha went to the city of Rajagaha.This way, without prior arrangement, after wandering back in 1250 arhats (enlightened disciples), in order to honor the teacher.They gathered at the monastery Veruvana along with two senior disciples of Buddha - Honourable Sariputroy and Moggalanoy.
Buddhist holidays in the Mahayana tradition - Ulambana (Day of the Ancestors)
Mahayana followers celebrate this holiday since the beginning of the eighth lunar month of its fifteenth lunar day.It is believed that the gates of Hell are opened on the first day of the month and the spirits can travel to the human world for two weeks.Offerings of food made in this period, can alleviate the suffering of ghosts.On the fifteenth day, Ulambanu, people visit cemeteries to make an offering to the deceased ancestors.Some Theravadin from Cambodia, Laos and Thailand also celebrate this annual event.At the same Japanese Buddhist Obon holiday is called, begins July 13 and lasts 3 days dedicated to the birth of departed ancestors of the family in the new bodies.
Birthday Avalokiteshvara
This festival is dedicated to the ideal of the bodhisattva, embodied Avalokiteshvara, who embodies the perfect compassion in the Mahayana tradition of Tibet and China.The holiday falls on the full moon of March.
Bodhi Day (Enlightenment Day)
On this day people celebrate the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama who became the Buddha.Generally, Buddhists celebrate this important holiday of the eighth of December reciting mantras, sutras, meditating and listening to teachings.
There are other Buddhist celebrations, having different scope and its unique specificity.They can take place every year, and have more frequent intervals.
