Vesak Full Moon Poya, rooted in ancient India, commemorates the birth, Enlightenment, and passing away of the Buddha, all on the full moon of May. Introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE, it became the island's most sacred Buddhist festival. Today, Vesak is celebrated with temple rituals and almsgiving, symbolizing peace and the victory of wisdom over ignorance.

When is Vesak Full Moon Poya Day?

Vesak Full Moon Poya Day is celebrated on the full moon in May.

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

The History of Vesak Full Moon Poya Day?

Vesak traces back to ancient India, tied to the life of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha.

According to Buddhist tradition, three great events in his life all occurred on the full moon of May (Vesak). Because of these three pivotal events, Vesak became the most sacred day in Buddhism.

– Birth (623 BCE, Lumbini, Nepal): Prince Siddhartha was born to Queen Māyā Devi and King Suddhodana.
– Enlightenment (588 BCE, Bodh Gaya, India): At age 35, he attained Buddhahood under the Bodhi tree.
– Parinibbāna (543 BCE, Kusinārā, India): At age 80, he passed into Final Nibbāna.

Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE by Arahat Mahinda Thera, son of Emperor Ashoka of India.

From then on, Vesak became central to Sri Lankan Buddhist practice.

In 1950, at the World Fellowship of Buddhists Conference in Colombo, Vesak was formally declared as the most important Buddhist festival, to be observed internationally.

In 1999, the United Nations recognized Vesak as a global religious observance, further cementing its international importance.