Buddhajayantī

The term "Buddhajayanti" is often used interchangeably with "Vesak" or "Buddha Purnima" and refers to a Buddhist festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. This significant holiday is observed on the full moon day of the lunar month Vesakha, typically falling in April, May, or June.1

Vesak is a public holiday in many Southeast Asian countries and is also celebrated in East Asia, though sometimes only for the Buddha's birth. In 1999, the United Nations recognized Vesak as an international holiday. Observances include devotional services and meritorious deeds like offering alms to monks or releasing captive birds. The exact origins of the holiday are unclear, but it became widely accepted that the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death all occurred on this auspicious day.1