Download Buddhist Festivals

Buddhist Festivals
Buddhists around the world adapt their festivals to the cultures of different
countries. For example the Buddhist New Year is at different times in different
countries. Many Buddhist festivals happen at full moon. The wandering monks
traditionally met at each full moon as a reminder of the rules of life. All the
Buddhist festivals involve monks and the members of the Buddhist community.
The monks chant sacred texts relevant to the festival’s themes and their
presence reminds the community of the goals of their beliefs. Lots of people to
go the monasteries and temples to join with the monks for meditation, to listen to
a sermon and to honour the Buddha images with flowers, incense and lights. In
Ireland, Buddhists often choose the Sunday nearest to the full moon so people
aren't at work and can go to their nearest Buddhist Centre.
wesak is the name of the month which coincides with our April/May. On the full
moon of this month people celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of
Gautama Buddha all on the same day or in some countries over three days.
Gauama Buddha is the first and foremost example for Buddhists. He found the
path towards enlightenment and he showed it to others. Lights, flowers and
incense are used during this festival.
Festival of Kandy is a festival that came about after the death of Guatama
Buddha. He was cremated and his remains were divided into eight and later
more parts so that they could be enshrined in stupas. These were originally
mounds of earth and stones and the kind of memorial given to a king. Later they
became more complex structures, surrounded by railings on which there were
carvings. A stupa can also be built over the relics of other great spiritual beings
and the importance of relics continues for Buddhists.
The festival of Kandy began in Sri Lanka. Chronicles say that the tooth relic was
brought to Sri Lanka from India in the fourth century. It was enshrined in the
capital and there was an annual festival in its honour. It was since moved and it
is now in Kandy. The festival lasts 15 nights from new moon to full moon in the
month of Esala (our July/August). There are processions at night. There are also
festivals during the day and it is a time of devout pilgrimage for Buddhists who
join in with the atmosphere of festivity and enjoyment.