Wesak Day a/k/a Vesak Day
Wesak Day celebrates the birth of the Buddha, his Enlightenment and achievement of Nirvana. The Buddha's Enlightenment is the central event in Buddhism, and Enlightenment is an ideal to which all Buddhists aspire. Wesak Day is therefore the most important festival of the year. Wesak is celebrated beginning at dawn on the night of the full moon in May/June. With a candle procession, devotees gather at temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts, and there is recitation of the Buddha's and his disciples' works. You'll also see doves released, donations of meals for the needy, offerings of incense and joss sticks, and chanting of the sutras in unison by monks in saffron robes. Wesak a/k/a Vesak a/k/a Vaisakha Puja provides an opportunity for prayer and reflection on Enlightenment.
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