Enhancing National Unity

Vesak observes three important events in the life of Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment and his death. This year’s Vesak falls on May 29. Buddhists across the world celebrate Vesak with prayer, meditation for wisdom and other social and cultural activities.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Buddhists light up candles during a prayer at Ekayana Arama Monastery in Jakarta ahead of Vesak celebration on Sunday (27/5/2018). The celebration of Vesak 2562/2018 will center at Borobudur temple in Magelang, Central Java.

Vesak observes three important events in the life of Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment and his death. These three events happened on the same day of the calendar, during the full moon of Vesak in different years: he was born in 623 BC in Kapilavasthu, Nepal; he attained enlightenment in 588 BC in Bodhagaya, India; and he died at the age of 80 in 543 BC in Kusinara, India.

This year’s Vesak falls on May 29. Buddhists across the world celebrate Vesak with prayer, meditation for wisdom and other social and cultural activities.