Visakha Bucha Day on May 22, alcohol sales prohibited
On Wednesday, May 22, holds special significance for Buddhists as it marks Visakha Bucha Day, one of the most revered holidays on the Buddhist calendar. This sacred day commemorates the pivotal events in the life of the Buddha, including his birth, enlightenment, and attainment of Nirvana, all said to have occurred on the same date over 2,567 years ago.
On Visakha Bucha Day, devout Buddhists engage in various rituals and ceremonies at nearby temples. In the morning, they make merit by offering alms to monks and listening to sermons. As the day progresses, devotees gather at temples for the “Wien Thien” ceremony. During this solemn procession, participants walk around the temple grounds three times while holding candles, joss sticks, and flowers as offerings to honor the Buddha, his teachings (Dharma), and the monastic community (Sangha). The atmosphere is one of tranquility and meditation, as worshipers reflect on the Buddha’s compassion and teachings on morality.
Following the procession, attendees sit to listen to Dharma talks delivered by monks and receive blessings with holy water, symbolizing wishes for good fortune and well-being.
The term “Visakha Bucha” signifies the worship of the Buddha on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month, typically falling in May. Recognizing its significance, Sri Lanka proposed to UNESCO in 1999 that Visakha Bucha Day be designated as the most important Memorial Day in Buddhism and observed as a “World Heritage Day.” Thailand, as the permanent location of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, was chosen to host and lead the celebrations of this auspicious day each year.
