Buddhism Week Visakha Puja Festival 2018

Buddhism Week Visakha Puja Festival 2018. A Buddhism week will be held in both Thailand and abroad to celebrate the Visakha Puja Festival 2018, with many activities to promote the propagation of Buddhism.

Visakha Puja is the holiest day of the year for Buddhists all over the world. It falls on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month. In 2018, this significant day coincides with 29 May. It is recognized internationally by the United Nations to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism has made and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity.

Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike are welcome to join the celebration of Visakha Puja, also known as Vesak. The Day of Vesak commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of enlightenment, and his passing away. These three incidents took place on the same day but different years.

In Thailand, the Office of National Buddhism will join hands with public and private organizations in organizing the Buddhism Week from 24 to 30 May at Buddhamonthon, a Buddhist religious center in Nakhon Pathom province. There will be merit-making ceremonies, Dhamma talks in Thai and English, Dhamma practice, and a Dhamma walk.

Other activities include tree-planting, a clean-up campaign, and a walk-run for charity. International Buddhist leaders will join a Vesak circumambulation, or wian thian, and chant blessings for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of the Ninth Reign.

Thai temples overseas have been asked to hold activities as appropriate to mark this special occasion. At Lan Khon Mueang in front of the Bangkok City Hall, the Buddhism Week will be held from 25 to 29 May. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening of the week at 5:30 p.m. on 25 May.

On this occasion, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, a public Buddhist university, will host the 15th Conference of the United Nations Day of Vesak from 25 to 27 May in Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya province and at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok.

The conference focuses on the theme “Buddhist Contribution for Human Development.” Buddhist leaders and Buddhist monks from many countries will join this conference, which includes panel discussions and the announcement of the 2018 Bangkok Declaration.