Waisak

Waisak, also known as Vesak or Wesak, is a Buddhist holiday that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death (parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. It is observed by Buddhists worldwide and is an especially prominent festival in Indonesia, where it is called Hari Waisak and is celebrated as a national holiday in many areas.

The date follows the lunar Buddhist calendar and typically falls on the full moon in the month of Vesakha (April or May), though the exact day varies by country and tradition. Central ceremonies often take place at major temples, with processions, prayers, meditation, dharma talks, and almsgiving.

In Indonesia, large Waisak celebrations are held at Borobudur in Central Java, featuring a night vigil, a sermon, candlelight processions, and the release of lanterns. Similar observances occur at Buddhist temples and monasteries across the archipelago and around the world. The festival emphasizes the Triple Gem—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha—and the Buddhist ideals of compassion, wisdom, and peace.