Vesak is the most important Buddhist festival celebrated to commemorate the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni. Recognized as a world cultural and spiritual festival since 1999, Vesak is part of Vesak – the triple festival including the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and nirvana.
What day is Buddha's birthday in 2025?
This year's United Nations Vesak celebration takes place from the 9th to the 11th day of the 4th lunar month of the year At Ty (ie from May 6 to 8, 2025) at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City.
According to Circular 41/TB-HĐTS in 2025 of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the time to organize the Vesak 2025 is from April 1 to April 15 of the Lunar calendar, At Ty year (ie from April 28 to May 12, 2025 of the Gregorian calendar).
Buddha's Birthday Week 2025 takes place from April 8 to April 15 of the Lunar calendar (ie May 5 to May 12, 2025 of the Gregorian calendar).
The official Buddha's birthday is on the 15th day of the 4th lunar month (12th of May in the Gregorian calendar). This is an important day to commemorate and celebrate the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni.
Buddha's birthday is on the 15th day of the 4th lunar month (May 12th of the solar calendar). (Screenshot)
Buddha's Birthday Commemoration Day
Before 1959, East Asian countries usually celebrated Buddha's birthday on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month. However, at the first World Buddhist Congress held in Colombo in 1950, 26 member countries agreed to choose the 15th day of the 4th lunar month every year as the international Buddha's birthday. This decision not only demonstrated the unity of the global Buddhist community, but also emphasized the importance of the holiday.
Buddha Shakyamuni was born as Prince Siddhartha of the Gautama clan and the Shakya royal family. According to the Southern sect, he was born on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month in 624 BC.
In contrast, the Northern sect holds that he was born on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month. Despite the difference in the date of birth, both sects agree on the importance of this event.
On Buddha's birthday, Buddhists often honor the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha through activities such as making offerings, giving flowers, listening to sermons, and practicing vegetarianism. In addition, they also practice almsgiving, charity, and giving gifts to those in need in the community, in order to spread the spirit of compassion and love.
Buddha's Birthday celebration in Hue city. (Photo: VOV)
In Vietnam, Buddha's birthday is celebrated solemnly and respectfully. On the full moon day of the fourth lunar month, provincial Buddhist Sangha and pagodas organize many activities to celebrate Buddha's birthday such as setting up a stage, parade with flower cars, releasing flower lanterns on the river, preaching the Dharma and organizing the Buddha bathing ceremony.
These activities are not only an occasion for Buddhists to commemorate the birth of Buddha, but also an opportunity for them to reflect on life and strive to live according to his teachings, lighting the flame of compassion and wisdom in their spiritual journey.
On this occasion, Buddhists do not kill, eat vegetarian food, clean their houses, and decorate the Buddha altar. They also often go to the temple to help with work, listen to sermons, and reflect on their own actions, with the hope of purifying their souls and cultivating good relationships with everyone.
Not only that, before and during the Buddha's birthday, the Buddhist Sangha of provinces and cities and pagodas also organize many charitable activities to help poor families, the disabled, and commemorate monks, nuns, and Buddhists who have contributed to the Dharma. These activities are not only a way for Buddhists to practice the Buddha's teachings but also an opportunity to demonstrate personal responsibility in building a peaceful and happy society, contributing to the development of the country in accordance with the Buddhist motto: "living a good life, following the Dharma".
Source VTC News
Source: https://baotayninh.vn/le-phat-dan-nam-2025-la-ngay-nao-a189620.html
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