Vesak – Buddha’s Birthday Festival in Vietnam

Sakya Muni was a Nepalese prince by his nature, named Siddhartha Gautama, born in April, 624 BC in Lumini, which lied at the foot of Himalayas.

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According to normal practice, every year when it comes to Full moon Day in April, Buddhists formally commemorate Buddha’s birthday. Since 1999, Buddha Day, which falls on April 15th , has been recognized by UN as a cultural religious festival in the World. Buddha’s birthday is one of the three festivals combined as Vesak including the birth, enlightenment (Buddhahood) and death of Buddha.

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Buddha Day held solemnly with the main celebration falls right on April full moon day in Vietnam. Buddhists are not allowed to slaughter but keep a vegetarian diet and carry out the good. Besides, parades are also performed in every city of the country with the participation of thousands of Buddhists and Buddhist nuns; animals are set free; lanterns are floated or hung up everywhere along with Buddhist flags.

Moreover, local Buddhist Sanghas* and authorities carry out many charity programs with the aim of raising funds for the poor or build houses for the homeless.

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Although Buddhism is not the biggest national religion in Vietnam, relevant festivals and events are still held regularly every year. These celebrations all make Vietnam a colorful and interesting country that is able to appeal to foreign friends all over the World all year round.

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*Buddhist Sangha: National Buddhist Community or Buddhist Federation

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