Festivals and Retreats

Wesak, also called Vesak or Buddha Day, is generally celebrated in May. Its origins and meaning lie in three events in Gautama Buddha’s life: his birth, his enlightenment and his death. Celebrating them together honours both the Buddha and the teachings he shared.

Enlightenment means awakening to the truth about existence and the way to overcome suffering. Remembering the Buddha’s enlightenment therefore does more than celebrate a past achievement: it encourages Buddhists to follow his path themselves.

Wesak also commemorates his death. Although death might seem an unusual focus for a joyful festival, Buddhists remember the Buddha’s liberation as well as the ending of his life.

How Wesak is celebrated

Light is an important feature of Wesak. Buddhists may decorate homes and places of worship with candles, lamps or paper lanterns. Light symbolises the path of enlightenment overcoming the darkness of ignorance. A candle is therefore a visible reminder of the festival’s spiritual meaning.

Buddhists may visit a temple or monastery for worship and meditation. Monks may chant scriptures, lead meditation or give talks about the Buddha’s life and teachings. Flowers, candles and incense can be offered in devotion, while gifts of food and other items support monks and the monastery.

In some communities, worshippers arrive before sunrise to raise the Buddhist flag and sing hymns to the Three Refuges: the Buddha, his teachings and the Buddhist community. Some wear white and spend the day at the temple concentrating on the Noble Eightfold Path, the Buddhist path towards overcoming suffering. Some eat vegetarian food as an expression of avoiding harm to living beings.

These practices connect remembrance with action. Hearing teachings encourages understanding; meditation puts religious practice into effect; giving offerings expresses respect and generosity. British Buddhist communities may observe different combinations of these customs rather than one identical celebration.

Parinirvana Day: reflecting on death and impermanence

Parinirvana Day commemorates the Buddha’s death and his passing into final nibbana. Nibbana is liberation from suffering and rebirth. The Buddha had already attained enlightenment during his lifetime; parinirvana refers to his final passing at death, with no further rebirth.

This Mahayana festival takes place in February, on the 8th or 15th depending on the tradition. It is generally more solemn than Wesak because it centres on death and reflection.

An important theme is anicca, or impermanence: things change and do not last permanently. Even the Buddha’s physical life ended. Remembering this helps Buddhists reflect on their own future death and remember friends or relatives who have died. It can also encourage them to value the present and take their religious practice seriously.

Buddhists may read passages from the Mahaparinirvana Sutra describing the Buddha’s final days. They may meditate at home or gather at temples and monasteries for puja and meditation. Some undertake a pilgrimage to Kushinagar in India, where the Buddha is believed to have died. Others mark the occasion through a retreat, setting aside extra time for reflection.

Retreats: making time for practice

A retreat is time spent away from ordinary daily life to concentrate on religious practice. Unlike a festival, it need not centre on celebrating a particular event. Its purpose is to create space for activities such as meditation, studying teachings and reflection.

For Buddhists in Great Britain today, stepping away from everyday demands can make sustained practice easier. A retreat allows attention to be given to the Buddha’s teachings rather than fitting practice around other activities. Practising alongside others can also provide encouragement and strengthen community bonds.

A retreat around Parinirvana Day connects this dedicated time with reflection on impermanence and death. Festivals and retreats therefore complement one another: festivals bring people together around significant events, while retreats offer concentrated time to deepen the practice those events inspire.

• When: 8 or 15 February, depending on tradition; especially Mahayana.
• Remembers: the Buddha’s death and final nibbana.
• Practices: scripture readings, puja, meditation, retreats; some visit Kushinagar.
• Meaning: reflection on anicca, personal mortality and deceased loved ones. Generally more solemn than Wesak.

Importance in Great Britain today

• Festivals: remembrance, shared practice, learning and community belonging.
• Retreats: time away from daily demands for sustained meditation, study and reflection.
• Customs vary between Buddhist traditions and communities.