Holiday Dates for the major celebrations of Buddhism
Buddhist calendar for 2010
Monday 8 February
Parinirvana - Nirvana day
Mahayana Buddhist festival marking the anniversary of Buddha's death. Pure Land Buddhists call the festival "Nirvana Day". Parinirvana is celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8th.
Monday 15 February
Nirvana day (alternative date)
Nirvana Day is also known as Parinirvana and is celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8th. Nirvana Day is the celebration of Buddha's death when he reached total Nirvana, at the age of 80.
Thursday 27 May
Wesak or Buddha day
The most important of the Buddhist festivals. It celebrates the Buddha's birthday, and, for some Buddhists, also marks his birth and death.
Theravada New Year
New Year festival for Theravada Buddhists, celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April
Wednesday 8 December
Bodhi Day
On Bodhi day some Buddhists celebrate Gautama's attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, India.
Buddhist calendar for 2011
Tuesday 8 February
Parinirvana - Nirvana day
Mahayana Buddhist festival marking the anniversary of
Buddha's death. Pure Land Buddhists call the festival
"Nirvana Day". Parinirvana is celebrated by some
Buddhists on February 8th.
Tuesday 15 February
Nirvana day (alternative date)
Nirvana Day is also known as Parinirvana and is
celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8th. Nirvana Day is
the celebration of Buddha's death when he reached total
Nirvana, at the age of 80.
Friday 18 February
Magha Puja
Fourfold Assembly or Sangha Day. Marks the day Buddha
addressed a meeting of 1250 arahants.
Monday 18 April
Theravada New Year
New Year festival for Theravada Buddhists, celebrated for
three days from the first full moon day in April
Tuesday 17 May
Wesak or Buddha day
The most important of the Buddhist festivals. It
celebrates the Buddha's birthday, and, for some Buddhists,
also marks his enlightenment and death. Pictures
of Wesak celebrations in Manchester
Friday 15 July
Asala - Dharma Day
The anniversary of the start of Buddha's teaching - his
first sermon ,"The Wheel of Truth", after his
enlightenment.
Thursday 8 December
Bodhi Day
On Bodhi day some Buddhists celebrate Gautama's
attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at
Bodhgaya, India.
Buddhist calendar for 2012
Tuesday 7 February
Magha Puja
Fourfold Assembly or Sangha Day. Marks the day Buddha
addressed a meeting of 1250 arahants.
Wednesday 8 February
Parinirvana - Nirvana day
Mahayana Buddhist festival marking the anniversary of
Buddha's death. Pure Land Buddhists call the festival
"Nirvana Day". Parinirvana is celebrated by some
Buddhists on February 8th.
Wednesday 15 February
Nirvana day (alternative date)
Nirvana Day is also known as Parinirvana and is
celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8th. Nirvana Day is
the celebration of Buddha's death when he reached total
Nirvana, at the age of 80.
Friday 6 April
Theravada New Year
New Year festival for Theravada Buddhists, celebrated for
three days from the first full moon day in April
Saturday 5 May
Wesak or Buddha day
The most important of the Buddhist festivals. It
celebrates the Buddha's birthday, and, for some Buddhists,
also marks his enlightenment and death. Pictures
of Wesak celebrations in Manchester
Tuesday 3 July
Asala - Dharma Day
The anniversary of the start of Buddha's teaching - his
first sermon ,"The Wheel of Truth", after his
enlightenment.
Saturday 8 December
Bodhi Day
On Bodhi day some Buddhists celebrate Gautama's
attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at
Bodhgaya, India.
Buddhist calendar for 2013
Friday 8 February
Parinirvana - Nirvana day
Mahayana Buddhist festival marking the anniversary of
Buddha's death. Pure Land Buddhists call the festival
"Nirvana Day". Parinirvana is celebrated by some
Buddhists on February 8th.
Friday 15 February
Nirvana day (alternative date)
Nirvana Day is also known as Parinirvana and is
celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8th. Nirvana Day is
the celebration of Buddha's death when he reached total
Nirvana, at the age of 80.
Monday 25 February
Magha Puja
Fourfold Assembly or Sangha Day. Marks the day Buddha
addressed a meeting of 1250 arahants.
Thursday 25 April
Theravada New Year
New Year festival for Theravada Buddhists, celebrated for
three days from the first full moon day in April
Saturday 25 May
Wesak or Buddha day
The most important of the Buddhist festivals. It
celebrates the Buddha's birthday, and, for some Buddhists,
also marks his enlightenment and death. Pictures
of Wesak celebrations in Manchester
Monday 22 July
Asala - Dharma Day
The anniversary of the start of Buddha's teaching - his
first sermon ,"The Wheel of Truth", after his
enlightenment.
Sunday 8 December
Bodhi Day
On Bodhi day some Buddhists celebrate Gautama's
attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at
Bodhgaya, India
Charles Henderson
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The Rev. Charles P. Henderson is a Presbyterian minister and
Executive Director of CrossCurrents.
He is the author of God and Science (John Knox Press, 1986).
A revised and expanded version of the book is appearing here. God and Science (Hypertext Edition,
2005).
He is also editor of a new book, featuring articles by world class scientists and theologians, and illustrating the leading views on the relationship between science and religion: Faith, Science and the Future (CrossCurrents Press, 2007).
Charles also tracks the boundry between the virtual and the real at his blog: Next World Design, focusing on the mediation of art, science and spirituality in the metaverse.
