TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Buddhists centered the celebration of Vesak Day at Borobudur Temple, Central Java, on Monday, May 12, 2025. The celebration of Vesak Day is one of the most important religious days for Buddhists, which is always celebrated solemnly.
The celebration aims to commemorate three important events in the Buddha's life, namely his birth, enlightenment, and passing.
What about Buddhists in other countries? Where do they celebrate Vesak Day?
Thailand
Thailand is one of the largest Buddhist countries in the world. The Land of Smiles designates Vesak Day or Visakha Bucha Day as a national holiday for the entire population.
Buddhists in Thailand commemorate Vesak Day by offering food, candles, and flowers as symbols of worldly sacrifice. During the celebration, Buddhist communities attend prayer activities in major temples. One of the most visited during Vesak Day is Wat Chang Lom, located in the ancient city of Sukhothai, believed to be the initial entry point of Buddhism into Thailand, to hold the wian thian ceremony to mark the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha, according to the Bangkok Post.
Wat Chang Lom was built to house the Buddha relics. To pay homage, visitors who want to celebrate Vesak Day can walk around the sacred stupa three times while carrying flowers, incense, and lit candles. Inside the temple, there is a Sukhothai-style stupa with 32 elephant statues from the Himmaphan forest.
Malaysia
The Buddhist community in Malaysia celebrates Vesak Day to honor the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. According to The Star, the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple in Kuala Lumpur becomes the center for the celebration of Vesak Day in the capital of Malaysia. During this public holiday, the Buddhist communities gather at the temple, recite religious hymns, and carry Buddha statues in a procession symbolizing sanctity.
Malaysian Vesak Day celebration is marked by lighting incense, benzoin, and candles shaped like lotus flowers. Buddhists also offer flowers and ceremonially bathe the Buddha statue to commemorate this important day.
Nepal
As reported by Antara, on May 4, 2025, Buddhists in Nepal visited sacred places such as Swayambhunath Temple or Monkey Temple. The Buddhist community in Nepal greatly enjoys the Vesak Day celebration with joy and excitement. Nepal is known as the birthplace of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, so the celebration of Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanti, becomes the most anticipated celebration. Buddhists will wear white clothes to attend prayer events in temples.
During the celebration of Vesak Day, Buddhists in Nepal perform unique traditions, including sharing food with those in need and making pilgrimages to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, which is also the main place for Vesak celebrations. After a series of prayers, Buddhist followers in Nepal will enjoy kheer, a sweet pudding made from rice.
Ni Made Sukmasari contributed to the writing of this article
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