Wesak Festival

• wesak festival commemorates the birth death and enlightenment of the Buddha
• it takes place of the day of the full moon in April or May
• It is likely the most important and widely celebrated Buddhist festival
• Some Buddhists believe the Buddha's birth death and enlightenment happened on the same day
• to celebrate Buddhist's might visit the local temple for services and teachings, refrain for eating after midday, wear white clothing and look smart, give offerings to the monks such as money or food, take part in processions and decorate shrines, clean and decorate their homes
• Buddhist's also "bathe the Buddha" which involves pouring water over the shoulders of the Buddha's statute
• Bathing the Buddha reminds Buddhist's to purify their minds of greed hatred and ignorance (three poisons)
• Gifts are often offered to the Buddha's statue, this shows respect to the Buddha for his life and teachings
• The Buddha and his teachings can be compared to the light that illuminates the darkness of samsara, so light is used a symbol of the Buddha's birth, death and enlightenment
• Festival goers light lanterns and carry them through the streets and hang them outside houses