Buddhist Holidays Unit 2: Religions that Originate in South Asia

New Year • In Theravada Buddhist countries, the New

Year is celebrated in April • Lasts for 3 days with many carnival-like

celebrations • There is an emphasis on washing,

cleaning, and preparing for the new year • On the last day, worshippers visit Buddhist

temples and make offerings

New Year

Buddha’s Birthday • Celebrated on April 8th in China and Japan • Celebrated on the last full moon in May in

Southeast Asia • Japan – celebrates with a flower festival • Other Buddhist regions – will ceremoniously

wash the statue of the infant Buddha with fragrant water made with flower petals

• People celebrate with parades and fireworks • Children dress up as the little Buddha

Buddha’s Birthday

The Festival of Souls (Ullambana) • During July (Japan) or August (China)

Buddhists believe that “purgatory” is opened up and the souls of the dead are allowed to wander the world.

• Families leave gifts of food for these wandering spirits.

• Rituals are performed by priests to provide comfort and release from purgatory to the souls of the dead.

The Festival of Souls

The Robe Offering • In November, Theravada Buddhists celebrate the sending

out of the first missionaries by the Mauryan (India) Emperor Ashoka

• New yellow robes are offered to the monks of the region. • Feasts are made and robes are placed on a “wishing

tree” • Ends with the making of the mahakathina (or great robe)

– a robe is made completely in one night • Commemorates the day the Buddha’s first robe was

made in one night.

The Robe Offering

Buddha Statues Unit 2: Religions that Originate in South Asia

Protection Buddha

Meditation Buddha

Earth Touching Buddha

The Reclining (or Nirvana) Buddha

The Medicine Buddha

Teaching (or Dharmachakra) Buddha

Walking Buddha

Contemplation Buddha

Begging Buddha

Repelling the Ocean Buddha

Leg Positions

Hand Gestures of Buddha Statues

Abaya

Dhyana

Namaskara

Bhumisparsa

Varada

Karana

Vajrapradama

Vitarka

Dharmachakra

Uttarabodhi