Buddhist Holidays

Determining Buddhist Holidays can be a challenge. Many different sects, countries, and individuals celebrate in many ways and at different times. A number of different calendars including Chinese, Tibetan, Buddhist, and Gregorian (Western) are used to determine dates which can make it confusing. Some sects celebrate Siddhartha Gautama's birth (Buddha Day), enlightenment (Bodhi Day) and death and entrance into Nirvana (Nirvana Day) at three separate times. Others celebrate these at one time (Wesek).

Holidays by Month

January	February	March
1 - New Year's Day Buddhist temples ring 108 Bells on New Year in Japan New Years in Thailand 16 - Shinran Day 19 - Dogen's Birthday 22 (2004) Chinese New Year (second new moon after soltice) Chinese New Years for kids Chinese New Year at Pao-Hua Buddhist Temple	15 - Nirvana Day Meaning of Nirvana 21 (2004)- Losar- Tibetan New Year (usually day after third new moon after soltice, but in some years it is the day after the second new moon) Story of Losar Losar	6 or 9 -Kuan Yin Birthday (either full moon in March or 19th day of 2nd lunar month in Chinese calendar)
April	May	June
8 - Buddha Day 12,13, 14 Songkran -Thai New Year (traditional) Rites of Songkran	4 (2004) - Wesak/Vesak (usually the first full moon in May) Making a Vesak Latern Significance of Vesak Festival of Singapore - Vesak Day GeoVision Malaysia: Religion- Festivals - Vesak
July	August	September
6 - Dalai Lama Birthday July - August  - Obon Bon Holidays The O-bon Festival O-bon Ancestors & the Cosmos	4 - Avalokitesvara's (Kuan Yin) Enlightenment (19th day of 6th lunar month of Chinese calendar)
October	November	December
	Bodhidharma's Birthday (5th day of 10th lunar month of Chinese calendar) Bodhidharma	8 - Bodhi Day

Calendars listing Buddhist & other holidays.

2004: Full Calendar (Adobe Acrobat file - 400k - Download and print)

2004: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec (web page format)

Other Holidays

• Festival of Lights

Tibetan Buddhist holidays listed each month at Daka's Buddhist Astrology.
Zen Buddhist Calendar
More information on Buddhist Holidays

• Buddhanet Festivals & Special Days
• Buddha Day Cards- Greetsomeone
• Buddha Day Cards -Blue Mountain

Dates for future Chinese New Years

2005 - February 9 (Rooster year)
2006 - January 29 (Dog year)
2007 - February 18 (Pig year)

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