24 Buddhist Festivals » Tibet Dharma

Here is a list of 24 Buddhist Festivals that happen on an annual basis.

I got this list together – you should pick one near you and go. Maybe I’ll see you there.

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Major Buddhist festivals around the world

Vesak/Buddha Purnima (Theravada)

Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha
Major festival in Theravada countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Bangladesh

Loy Krathong (Theravada)

Thai festival of lights, celebrated by floating lotus-shaped vessels on waters
Includes beauty contests, fireworks, and other festivities

Magha Puja/Sangha Day (Theravada)

Marks the occasion when the Buddha gave teachings to a large group of disciples
Celebrated in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos

Hana Matsuri (Mahayana)

Japanese festival celebrating the Buddha’s birthday
Includes pouring sweet tea over a small Buddha statue

Asalha Puja/Dharma Day (Theravada)

Commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon and the start of his teachings
Observed in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos

Saga Dawa (Vajrayana)

Tibetan festival celebrating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death
Includes prayer ceremonies and the unfurling of sacred Buddhist scrolls

Pchum Ben (Theravada)

Cambodian festival honoring the deceased ancestors
Involves offering food to Buddhist monks

Monlam Prayer Festival (Vajrayana)

Tibetan festival held in Lhasa, involving prayer ceremonies and teachings
Attracts Buddhists from around the world

Ullambana/Obon (Mahayana)

Japanese and Chinese festival honoring the ancestors and departed souls
Includes lighting lanterns and making offerings

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Thadingyut/Lighting Festival (Theravada)
- Celebrated in Myanmar, marking the end of the Buddhist Lent
- Includes lighting candles and lanterns in temples and homes
Kathina (Theravada)
- Thai festival marking the end of the Buddhist Lent
- Buddhists offer new robes and other necessities to monks
Bun Awk Phansa (Theravada)
- Laotian festival celebrating the end of the Buddhist Lent
- Includes boat races and other festivities
Kalachakra (Vajrayana)
- Tibetan festival involving complex rituals and initiations
- Celebrates the cycles of time and the teachings of the Buddha
Nehan-e (Mahayana)
- Japanese festival commemorating the Buddha’s death and entrance into Nirvana
- Observed by cleaning and decorating Buddhist altars

This list covers major festivals from the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism, celebrated in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Japan, China, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and Mongolia.

10 More Buddhist festivals around the world

Sure, here are 10 more major Buddhist festivals from around the world:

Bodhi Day/Rohatsu (Mahayana)

Japanese festival commemorating the Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bodhi tree
Observed with meditation retreats and ceremonies

Hanamatsuri (Mahayana)

Japanese flower festival celebrating the Buddha’s birth
Includes pouring sweet tea over a small Buddha statue decorated with flowers

Khao Phansa (Theravada)

Thai festival marking the beginning of the Buddhist Lent
Involves offering food and other necessities to monks

Maha Shivaratri (Vajrayana)

Celebrated in Nepal and parts of India, honoring Lord Shiva
Includes fasting, meditation, and worship in Buddhist monasteries

Sambuddhatva Jayanthi (Theravada)

Sri Lankan festival celebrating the Buddha’s enlightenment
Includes Buddhist sermons, chanting, and alms-giving

Pava Lahungu (Theravada)

Sinhalese festival in Sri Lanka, marking the first Buddhist council
Involves offering robes and other necessities to monks

Qingming Jie (Mahayana)

Chinese festival for honoring ancestors and deceased loved ones
Includes cleaning and decorating graves, and making offerings

Chökhor Duchen (Vajrayana)

Tibetan festival commemorating the Buddha’s first teachings
Observed with prayers, rituals, and circumambulation of stupas

Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival (Theravada)

Thai festival involving intricate wax sculptures and candle parades
Celebrates the beginning of the Buddhist Lent

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Hungry Ghost Festival (Mahayana)

Chinese and Vietnamese festival for appeasing restless spirits
Includes making offerings and burning incense for the wandering ghosts

These Buddhism festivals showcase the rich cultural diversity and traditions within Buddhism, reflecting the unique practices and beliefs of different regions and schools.