Vesak Day marks the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. In Singapore, it has been a public holiday since 1955 and is celebrated with temple ceremonies, acts of kindness, and community gatherings.

When is Vesak Day?

Vesak Day is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Vesak, usually in May, sometimes in early June.

The following is the list of Vesak Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Vesak Day?

Vesak (or Vesākha) comes from the name of a month in the Indian lunar calendar. According to tradition, three major events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) all took place on the full moon of Vesak:

– His birth in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal).

– His enlightenment (attaining Buddhahood) under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India.

– His Parinirvana (final passing away) at Kushinagar, India.

Early Buddhist communities began commemorating these events more than 2,000 years ago, with rituals and gatherings on the Vesak full moon. As Buddhism spread from India to Sri Lanka, China, Southeast Asia, and beyond, Vesak became one of the most important festivals in Buddhist cultures.

With the arrival of Chinese and Sri Lankan Buddhists, Vesak celebrations were brought to Singapore during the colonial era.

In 1955, Vesak Day was officially gazetted as a public holiday in Singapore, after petitions from Buddhist organizations. This recognition highlighted the significance of Buddhism in Singapore's multicultural society.

In Singapore, Vesak Day also carries a community and multicultural aspect, with people of other faiths often participating in charity drives and cultural programs.