 | |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 | |||
|
Wesak celebrations
Wesak is a major festival in many Buddhist countries. It happens on
the day of the full moon in May. During this day, people celebrate
the birth, enlightenment, and
Wesak Full Moon Poya Day Monday, May 23, 2005 - Tuesday, May 24, 2005 Friday, May 12, 2006 - Saturday, May 13, 2006
| |||
|
|
death of the Buddha. This festival is
extremely religious, and so everyone tries to follow the Buddhist
guidelines as closely as they can. They believe the most important
things to practice are the good virtues of kindness and generosity
to all living things. There are stands by the sides of some roads
from which free food or drinks are given to people walking by. The
streets are filled with entertainers, pageants, and happiness. In
Sri Lanka, Buddhists dress in white and carry baskets of flowers to
the monastery. Some people donate blood to hospitals, while others
give away free dharma books. Buddhists all over the world decorate
monasteries with Buddhist flags, lanterns, and flowers.