Buddhist Holidays & 2010 DatesBuddhist religious holidays tend to be celebrated on a lunar calendar and may differ according to sect and location. These celebrations most often follow events in the life of Buddha or various Boddhisattvas. The following list is based on the Indian Government's calendar (link to the full list follows): 8 or 15 February: Parinirvana / Nirvana Day
30 February: Mahayana New Year begins
30 March: Magha Puja Day 27 May: Wesak or Buddha Day; Theravada New Year
13 July: Ulambana Day 8 December: Bodhi Day
Parinirvana, or Nirvana Day: Celebrated as the day at which Buddha reached total nirvana at his death at the age of 80
Magha Puja Day: Celebrates Buddha's visit to Veruvana Monastery in Rajagaha. It is said the monks spontaneously returned from their wanderings to give honor to Buddha. Wesak or Buddha Day: Buddha’s birthday—the most important Buddhist holiday Theravada New Year: Start of a 3-day New Year festival for Theravada Buddhist sects (Note: New Year's celebrations are held on different dates in different parts of the world.)
Ulambana Day: Many Mahayana Buddhists believe that the gates of hell open and the ghosts of the dead come back to earth for 15 days. Relatives offer gifts of food, etc., to the ghosts during this time to bring them comfort. Bodhi Day: Celebration of Buddha’s initial enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree (not universally celebrated)
The Full Schedule of Indian Government Holidays for 2010
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