Vesak is the Buddhist festival traditionally celebrating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.
Vesak, also called Wesak or Buddha Day, is observed in many Buddhist communities, usually on a full moon day in April or May. The exact date varies because Buddhist calendars and regional traditions differ. In much of the Theravada world, one observance commemorates the Buddha’s birth, awakening, and parinirvana together.
Celebrations may include visits to temples, offerings, meditation, chanting, charitable acts, and the release of captive animals. Customs differ widely between countries, so the festival may have different local names and rituals.
Vesak should not be confused with Magha Puja, which commemorates a gathering of the Buddha’s disciples, or Kathina, a ceremony connected with offerings of robes after the rainy-season retreat. The festival’s broad international recognition reflects the shared importance of the Buddha’s life across several Buddhist traditions.