Buddhism, that is believed to be one of the fastest growing religions in the world, originated in India about 2500 years ago in the 6th Century BC. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama who later came to be known as Lord Buddha. The word Buddha literally means ‘The Awakened One’ or ‘The Enlightened One’.

It is believed that Gautama Buddha was moved by the miseries of human kind and strove to achieve Enlightenment. After achieving Nirvana (Enlightenment), he then took to devote the rest of his life to teach men and women the path to attain Awakening.

Buddhists do not believe in the existence of personal God. They mainly focus on spiritual development and attaining wisdom by staying in the path of truth and by connecting with the mind through meditation. Buddhists believe that there are Four Fundamental of Noble Truths in life. These are –

The Existence of Dukkha or Suffering
Suffering is caused by Desire
Suffering ceases when one can tame Desire
There is a path which can lead to Freedom from Suffering.

Apart from the major observances listed below, every lunar month a certain number of days are observed to cleanse the mind that may have gone astray. This is known as Uposatha. The number of days set aside for this varies between two to six depending on the sect of Buddhism a person follows. Now let us focus on the major annual Buddhist Festivals and Observances for the year 2014 --

Thursday, January 16, Mahayana New Year – This is the traditional New Year celebrated by the Mahayana sect of Buddhists. This is the time for them to do away with the errors or sins committed in the past. Also this is the time to resolve to do what is good in the coming days. Buddhist New Years are celebrated to be time for self rectification.
Saturday, February 8, (Pari) Nirvana Day – This day commemorates when Buddha attained Nirvana at the age of eighty. Attaining Nirvana is believed to cease the cycle of death and rebirth. Buddha taught that when sufferings are gone Nirvana is attained. It is a celebratory day for the Buddhists for the Buddhist principles are based on impermanence – it is believed that what is inevitable should be accepted without sadness or hesitation, for change is the only thing that is constant in life. Passages from Nirvana Sutra that paves light on Buddha’s life during the last few days are recited. People also reflect upon their own death and that of their dear ones. People visit temples and monasteries and offer prayers and partake of community meals. People also reflect on improving their life so that they can attain Nirvana when the cycle of life comes to an end.
Saturday, February 15, (Pari)Nirvana Day – Some Buddhists sects celebrate the Nirvana of Buddha on this day instead of the earlier date that is observed by the other sects.
Sunday, February 16, Magha Puja Day – This is also known as Fourfold Assembly or "Sangha Day" and is observed on the full moon day of the third lunar month. This commemorates the day when 1250 enlightened ascetics came to Buddha on their own accord to pay tribute to him. Buddha preached a sermon of doing what is good and abstaining from what is evil before them. This day is considered to pay homage to Sangha or community which largely refers to the monastic group in this case.
Saturday to Tuesday, April 12 to 15, Songkran – This is a festival full of gaiety that goes on for a couple of days during mid-April. This is the time for spring cleaning; and during this time people thoroughly clean and air their homes, and wash their clothes and linen. Sprinkling fragrant waters on each other and also on the monks is also a custom adhered to in this period. Some people also believe it to be auspicious to set free fishes in water bodies – they carry fishes in a bowl to a nearby river or spring and set them free.
Sunday, 11 May 2014, The Ploughing Festival – This day commemorates the first enlightenment of Buddha. It is believed to have happened when was seven years old. He had gone to visit the fields with his father to watch ploughing, and it is then that first enlightenment dawned upon him. To commemorate this event two white oxen are made to pull a gold painted plough. They are followed by four girls who dress up in white and throw rice seeds from a basket.
Wednesday, May 14, Vesak Buddha Day – This is the most important festival observed by the Buddhists. It is the day that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death – all the three major life events of Lord Buddha, the founder of the religion. It is celebrated on the first full moon day of the Indian month on Vaishak that is known as Vesak in Pali. The name of the festival has been derived from the name of the month in which it is observed.
Thursday, May 15, Theravada New Year – This is the day when Theravada Buddhists observe their new year and it falls on a full moon day.
Sunday, July 13, Asala-Dharma Day – This is also known as the Dhamma Day. This is observed on the full moon day of the eighth month of the Lunar calendar. It is believed that this day commemorates Buddha’s first teaching -- Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta which means “Setting to Motion the Wheel of Dharma”. He is believed to have imparted this teaching to five monks at the Sarnath Deer Park and it is here that Kondanna, the senior most monk attained Sotapanna or the first level of enlightenment.
Sunday, August 10, Ulambana – This is also known as the festival of pay homage to the Ancestors and is also known as Ancestor Day as such. This is celebrated through the first fifteen days of the eighth lunar month. It is believed that the Gates of Hell open during this period of time and the souls come down to earth for these fifteen days. Offerings are made to the departed souls hoping to cease the sufferings. People also visit cemeteries of their ancestors to pay tribute.
Wednesday, October 8, Abhidhamma Day – This day signifies the Ascension of Buddha to Heaven where He is believed to teach his Mother “Abhidhamma” (a part of Buddhist scriptures).
Friday, October 31, Thod Kathina or Thord Gathin or Kathina Ceremony – On this day Buddhist honor the contribution of the monks and show their respect by paying homage to them. It is celebrated at the end of the Lent period of the Buddhists. This period coincides with the months pertaining to the rainy season. During the Lent period the monks are not allowed to travel but are required to sleep in a particular temple. The legend goes thus that Buddha with thirty monks was travelling to reach their Rain Retreat, but the monsoons hit before they could reach their destination. Concerned that they may harm crops or insects unknowingly they stopped their travel. Then Buddha gave a cloth gifted by a disciple to the monks for making robes. This has lead to the custom of offering a new robe to monks on this occasion. Apart from robes, basic toiletries, essential utensils and simple food are also offered to the monks in recognition of their contributions and achievements. Prayer ceremonies are held at temples.
Friday, November 7, Loy Krathong – The word ‘Loy’ means ‘To Float’, and “Krathong’ refers to a basket made from banana stem and leaves. People decorate these baskets with flowers, a candle and also light three incense sticks, and float them in local water body in the evening. This is believed to take away with it all bad luck and usher in good fortune. People also make a wish while floating the basket. The myth is that if the candle remains lit as long as the basket is in view, then the wish made would come true.
Monday, December 8, Bodhi Day – This is believed to be the day in which Lord Buddha was blessed with enlightenment. Bodhi is the Pali word for Enlightenment. According to legends, although Gautama Buddha was a Prince, he was deeply moved by the sufferings face my mankind. He resolved to find out the root cause of human suffering. For this purpose he took to extreme lifestyle just like saints and meditated sitting under a Peepal tree. He resolved that he shall continue doing so as long as either death took him away or he fathomed the source of human misery and also a path or way to overcome or liberate oneself from the ravages of it. Buddhists observe this day by attending prayers, reading religious scriptures, chanting Buddhist Sutras and being kind to other beings.

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