Siddhartha Gautama
Over 2500 years ago, Siddhartha Gautama attained nirvana to become the enlightened one. The journey of Siddhartha Gautama to becoming the Lord Buddha is one of discovery, suffering and enlightenment.
Vesak
Each year around the time of the May full moon, Buddha Dhamma practitioners around the world gather to pay homage to Lord Buddha. To commemorate his birth, when he was named Siddhartha Gautama, his enlightenment at thirty five, and passing into parinibbana, forty five years later at eighty years. The exact date of Vesak, also known as Buddhas Day, Buddha’s Birthday, Saka Dawa among others, each year varies according to the lunar calendars used by different traditions. Buddhists observe the occasion in many ways, including the occasion make special efforts to generate happiness for the unfortunate, the aged, differently abled, and sick.
United Nations Day of Vesak
“The United Nations Day of Vesak, established in 1999, acknowledges the contribution which Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and a half millennia and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity today. ”