Buddhist Holidays

I usually celebrate the Buddha’s Birthday, enlightenment, and paranirvana- Vesak or Vaishakha day.

Buddhist Holidays – Table

Here is a table of significant Buddhist holidays along with their dates and meanings, derived from multiple sources:

Holiday	Date	Meaning	Tradition
Vesak	Full moon in May	Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha	Theravada, Mahayana
Magha Puja	Full moon in February or March	Commemorates Buddha’s sermon to 1,250 enlightened monks	Theravada
Asalha Puja	Full moon in July	Marks the Buddha’s first sermon	Theravada
Uposatha	New moon, full moon, and quarter moon	Observance and meditation day for lay Buddhists and monastics	All traditions
Kathina	End of the rainy season, October	Monks receive new robes and lay Buddhists make offerings	Theravada
Losar	Varies, typically February or March	Tibetan New Year, marked with rituals and festivities	Tibetan (Vajrayana)
Parinirvana Day	February 15	Commemorates the Buddha’s death and final nirvana	Mahayana
Bodhi Day	December 8	Celebrates the Buddha’s enlightenment	Mahayana
Ullambana	15th day of the 7th lunar month	Also known as Ghost Festival, offerings made to ancestors and deceased loved ones	Mahayana
Songkran	April 13-15	Thai New Year, celebrated with water festivals and merit-making activities	Theravada

These Buddhist holidays reflect the diverse practices and traditions within Buddhism, celebrating key events in the life of the Buddha and significant teachings. Observances vary by country and tradition, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of Buddhism across the world.