What do you do on vesak day

The holy Buddhist festival celebrated around the world Vesak Day is an important holiday in the Buddhist calendar. What is Vesak? Vesak commemorations in Burma Shutterstock. When does Vesak take place? Where is Vesak celebrated? Angkor Wat is one of Cambodia's most famous Buddhist temples Shutterstock. What can you expect from Vesak festivities?

Lanterns floating in commemoration of Buddha, on Vesak Day Shutterstock. You may also see dances, performances and meditation sessions. What should travellers know about Vesak? Keep in mind that this is a holy day of commemoration for Buddhists; it's not for travellers.

Experiencing Vesak — where should travellers go? More on Buddhism around the world: 10 incredible giant Buddhas you can visit The 7 wonders of the Buddhist world. Related Articles. Looking for inspiration. They symbolize that all creatures should be free and happy. Buddha that sits at the entrance to Miami's Zen Village as members of the community celebrate Buddha's birthday.

Buddha was born in BC and was the son of an Indian king. He was originally named Siddhartha Gautama. After growing up and having a family, he decided to venture out beyond his palace walls.

Along the way he saw people suffering from old age, sickness and death. This affected him so much that he decided to leave his life of comfort to become a holy man. Siddhartha wandered around ancient India for six years. He spent his time meditating and trying to find true happiness. His main goal in life was to find a way to end human suffering.

One day while meditating under a fig tree, Siddhartha woke up filled with complete joy. This is when he became known as Buddha, which means Enlightened One. Siddhartha did not see suffering — illness, old age and death — until he was well into adulthood; and, when he did, it deeply affected him. His goal was singular: to find an end to human suffering. At one point during his years-long journey, Siddhartha stopped eating and grew desperately thin and weak.

When he became too weak to meditate, he finally accepted food. This is what is referred to as his Enlightenment. His realization was rather simple: If people followed the Eightfold Path, they could eliminate their suffering as he had done! It was an extraordinary conclusion, and he spent the next 40 to 50 years expanding on it so that others could practice it for themselves. Much revered, Buddha died at the ripe old age of 80 ish.

Right Understanding: Understand things as they really are i. Right Thought: Act from a place of loving kindness and compassion; practice letting go of your desire for material things; do no harm. Right Speech: Be courteous; think before speaking; no lies, back-biting, slandering. Right Livelihood: Make a living in an industry that does not bring harm to others. Right Effort: Extinguish unwholesome qualities such as greed, anger and ignorance while cultivating wholesome ones such as generosity, loving kindness and wisdom.

Right Mindfulness: Be aware and attentive of your body, thoughts and perceptions; note how thoughts appear and disappear within you and how deep breathing can make you more in tune with yourself.