What are the main Buddhist festivals and celebrations?
There are several small ones which may vary between cultures and others which might be exclusive to one culture. However there are two main events which are celebrated universally; Vesak and Kathina. Vesak falls on the full moon of May and celebrates the birth, enlightenment and final passing of the Buddha, so it is a time when the life of the Buddha is reflected on. The local temple would be decorated with flowers and lights. Often the lights are paper lanterns made by various families and brought to the monastery to be lit in the evening. Lay people would come to the monastery for the day – often wearing white clothes – and take the eight precepts. They would help with the meal offering in the morning and in the afternoon there would be group meditation. In the evening there would be a gathering in the temple with auspicious chanting by the Sangha and a talk, reflecting on the life of the Buddha, given by the senior monk. The lamps would be lit and everyone would circumambulate eithe
