Celebrating Buddha’s enlightenment

SENDING LIGHT INTO THE SKY... The Vesak celebrations take place among Buddhists around the world. Photo: Supplied

MILLIONS of Buddhists worldwide will celebrate Vesak Day on Wednesday, May 26 2021, an officially recognised United Nations (UN) observance that commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is also a time to reflect on his teachings and what it means to be Buddhist.

Vesak is the most important Buddhist Festival held on the full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha, which usually falls in May annually, particularly Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar.

In 2015, Buddhist in Shepparton celebrated their first Vesak Day event in the region at the Queens Garden, which was generously supported by Greater Shepparton City Council, Ethnic Council of Shepparton, People Supporting People, Shepparton Interfaith Network, Victoria Police – Shepparton and local Buddhist community.

For the sixth year, they will again celebrate Vesak Day 2021 and invite the public to come and help celebrate Vesak Celebration in Shepparton on Saturday 29th of May 2021 from 5.30 pm and 8.00 pm.