12 May 2025 Vesak - Buddha Day 12 May 2025

Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima and Buddha Day, is a holiday traditionally observed by Buddhists and some Hindus in South and Southeast Asia as well as Tibet and Mongolia.

Vesak is one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist calendar. It is also known as Wesak Day or “Buddha’s Birthday”.

Vesak is the celebration of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Gautama Buddha’s real name was Siddhārtha Gautama, but Buddha is a title that means 'the enlightened' or 'awakened one'. So after he found enlightenment, Siddhārtha Gautama was called, Gautama Buddha.

Over 2,000 years ago, a man called Siddhārtha Gautama was a prince who was born into a wealthy family in what is now called Nepal. He lived a life of great luxury and wealth, so was not aware of the suffering of others.

During his travels outside the palace, he saw suffering and plight and realised that sickness, old age and death could not be escaped. He re-evaluated his life, and after six years of studying and meditation on his travels, he found the meaning of life and became spiritually aware.

He became an important teacher and helped many people, and was then known as the Buddha, which means ‘The Enlightened One’.