The celebration of VESAK

On Wednesday 23rd May the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka will be celebrating Vesak.

Naomi Booth :: Monday 20th May 2024 :: This Story

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C., that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his eightieth year passed away.

In Sri Lanka most obvious sign that Vesak has arrived are the bright digital light designs, called thoranas, that are put up in Colombo, Kandy, and other Sri Lankan cities. These displays tell a story from the famed Jataka Tales in visual form. A second major sign is the presence of colourful lanterns positioned along streets and near homes.