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Wesak Day (Malaysia)
2025-05-12
Wesak Day, also known as Vesak or Buddha Day, is a significant celebration for Buddhists worldwide. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. In Malaysia, Wesak Day is a public holiday and is observed with reverence and vibrant ceremonies.
Table of Contents

When is Wesak Day?
The History of Wesak Day?
What Do People Do on This Day?
More about Gautama Buddha?

When is Wesak Day?
Wesak Day is celebrated on the full moon day of the lunar month of Vesakha, which usually falls in May. The exact date varies each year depending on the lunar calendar.
The following is the list of Wesak Day from 2020 to 2049.

HolidayDateWeekday

Wesak DayMay 07, 2020Thursday

Wesak DayMay 26, 2021Wednesday

Wesak DayMay 15, 2022Sunday

Wesak DayJune 04, 2023Sunday

Wesak DayMay 22, 2024Wednesday

Wesak DayMay 12, 2025Monday

Wesak DayMay 31, 2026Sunday

Wesak DayMay 20, 2027Thursday

Wesak DayMay 08, 2028Monday

Wesak DayMay 27, 2029Sunday

Wesak DayMay 17, 2030Friday

Wesak DayJune 04, 2031Wednesday

Wesak DayMay 23, 2032Sunday

Wesak DayMay 13, 2033Friday

Wesak DayJune 01, 2034Thursday

Wesak DayMay 22, 2035Tuesday

Wesak DayMay 10, 2036Saturday

Wesak DayMay 29, 2037Friday

Wesak DayMay 18, 2038Tuesday

Wesak DayMay 07, 2039Saturday

Wesak DayMay 25, 2040Friday

Wesak DayMay 16, 2041Thursday

Wesak DayJune 03, 2042Tuesday

Wesak DayMay 23, 2043Saturday

Wesak DayJune 10, 2044Friday

Wesak DayMay 30, 2045Tuesday

Wesak DayMay 20, 2046Sunday

Wesak DayJune 08, 2047Saturday

Wesak DayMay 27, 2048Wednesday

Wesak DayMay 17, 2049Monday

The History of Wesak Day
Wesak Day is one of the most important Buddhist festivals. Its origins are deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions and have been celebrated for centuries in various countries.
Wesak Day marks three significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha, all believed to have occurred on the same day in different years:
– Birth: Siddhartha Gautama was born as a prince in Lumbini (now Nepal) around 623 BCE.
– Enlightenment: At the age of 35, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India, realizing the path to liberation from suffering.
– Parinirvana: At the age of 80, Buddha passed away in Kushinagar, India, achieving liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
The first formal recognition of Wesak Day as an international Buddhist celebration occurred at the World Fellowship of Buddhists Conference in 1950, held in Sri Lanka. The conference agreed to observe Wesak as the most sacred day for Buddhists worldwide, celebrated on the full moon of the lunar month of Vesakha (April/May).
Buddhism arrived in Southeast Asia around the 3rd century BCE, brought by traders and missionaries. Over time, Wesak Day became a key celebration for Malaysia's Buddhist community, reflecting the country's multicultural and religiously diverse society.
Malaysia officially declared Wesak Day a national public holiday in 1962, acknowledging the significance of Buddhism in the country and its contributions to Malaysian culture and harmony.

What Do People Do on This Day?
Wesak Day is filled with rituals, acts of kindness, and community celebrations.
Devotees gather at Buddhist temples early in the morning for special prayers and chanting of sutras. Monks lead the congregation in meditation and spiritual teachings.
Offerings of flowers, candles, incense, and fruits are made at altars to honor the Buddha. These offerings symbolize impermanence and the need to let go of material attachments.
A key tradition is the Bathing the Buddha ceremony, where devotees pour water over a statue of the infant Buddha. This symbolizes the cleansing of the mind and soul from impurities and bad karma.
Many Buddhists use the day to perform Dana (acts of generosity) by donating food, money or essential items to the underprivileged.
Releasing caged birds, fish or other animals is a common practice, symbolizing the liberation of all beings and promoting compassion. Volunteer activities, such as cleaning public spaces or visiting nursing homes, are organized to spread kindness.
Lighting candles, lanterns or oil lamps is a common practice, representing the Buddha's enlightenment and the victory of light over darkness.
Many Buddhists adopt a vegetarian diet on Wesak Day to honor the principle of non-violence and show compassion for all living beings.
In Malaysia, people of different faiths often join in the celebrations or visit temples, reflecting the country's multicultural spirit.
More about Gautama Buddha?
Gautama Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was a spiritual teacher, philosopher and the founder of Buddhism.
Siddhartha Gautama was born around 623 BCE in Lumbini, now Nepal, into the royal Shakya clan. His father was the ruler of a small kingdom of Kapilavastu, and his mother passed away shortly after his birth.
To ensure Siddhartha followed the path of royalty, his father shielded him from the harsh realities of life. He grew up in luxury, married Princess Yasodhara and had a son.
At the age of 29, Siddhartha ventured outside the palace and encountered four sights that profoundly changed his perspective: an old man, a sick person, a dead body, and a wandering ascetic. These encounters led him to question the purpose of life and the nature of suffering.
Siddhartha left his palace, wife and son to seek answers to life's profound questions. Siddhartha resolved to meditate under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India. After meditating for 49 days, he achieved nirvana (enlightenment) at the age of 35, realizing the truths about life, suffering and liberation.
The Buddha's enlightenment centered on understanding these truths:
– Dukkha: Life is suffering.
– Samudaya: Suffering arises from craving and attachment.
– Nirodha: Suffering can be overcome.
– Magga: The Eightfold Path leads to the cessation of suffering.
The Buddha spent the rest of his life traveling across India, teaching to people of all castes and backgrounds.
At the age of 80, Gautama Buddha passed into Parinirvana (final liberation) in Kushinagar, India. His death marked his complete release from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth

Gospel Day (Tuvalu)
2025-05-12
Gospel Day in Tuvalu commemorates the arrival of Christianity to the islands through the work of Samoan and British missionaries in the mid-19th century, which played a major role in shaping Tuvalu's spiritual, social, and cultural identity.
When is Gospel Day?
Gospel Day is celebrated annually on the first Monday in July.
The following is the list of Gospel Day from 2020 to 2049.

HolidayDateWeekday

Gospel DayMay 11, 2020Monday

Gospel DayMay 10, 2021Monday

Gospel DayMay 09, 2022Monday

Gospel DayMay 08, 2023Monday

Gospel DayMay 13, 2024Monday

Gospel DayMay 12, 2025Monday

Gospel DayMay 11, 2026Monday

Gospel DayMay 10, 2027Monday

Gospel DayMay 08, 2028Monday

Gospel DayMay 14, 2029Monday

Gospel DayMay 13, 2030Monday

Gospel DayMay 12, 2031Monday

Gospel DayMay 10, 2032Monday

Gospel DayMay 09, 2033Monday

Gospel DayMay 08, 2034Monday

Gospel DayMay 14, 2035Monday

Gospel DayMay 12, 2036Monday

Gospel DayMay 11, 2037Monday

Gospel DayMay 10, 2038Monday

Gospel DayMay 09, 2039Monday

Gospel DayMay 14, 2040Monday

Gospel DayMay 13, 2041Monday

Gospel DayMay 12, 2042Monday

Gospel DayMay 11, 2043Monday

Gospel DayMay 09, 2044Monday

Gospel DayMay 08, 2045Monday

Gospel DayMay 14, 2046Monday

Gospel DayMay 13, 2047Monday

Gospel DayMay 11, 2048Monday

Gospel DayMay 10, 2049Monday

The History of Gospel Day?
Gospel Day in Tuvalu is rooted in the missionary history of the Pacific Islands and reflects Tuvalu's deep Christian heritage.
During the 19th century, Christian missionary societies, especially the London Missionary Society (LMS), were actively spreading the gospel across the South Pacific. The LMS, based in London, trained Samoan, Tongan, and Cook Islands missionaries to carry Christianity to other islands in the region.
These missionaries became the key agents of religious and cultural change, often arriving before European settlers.
Christianity was introduced to Tuvalu (then part of the Ellice Islands) around 1861, beginning on the atoll of Nukulaelae. The first missionaries were Samoan converts sent by the LMS. They brought Christian teachings, hymns, literacy, and the concept of a Sunday Sabbath.
Over the next few decades, churches were established on each of the nine inhabited islands, and Christian worship became central to daily life.
The gospel brought literacy, as missionaries taught locals to read using the Bible and prayer books in the Tuvaluan language. Traditional beliefs were gradually replaced or integrated into Christian practices.
The church became a pillar of community life, and it still plays a key role in education, leadership, and national identity today.
