PURPOSE: The General Assembly, by its resolution 54/115 of 1999, recognized internationally the Day of Vesak to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and a half millennia and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity. This day is commemorated annually at the at the United Nations HQ in New York and other UN offices, in consultation with the relevant permanent missions. the Day of Vesak is observed during the full moon of May, the aims of the day is to recognize the contributions Buddhism has made to human spirituality and culture for more than two and a half millennia; The Buddhists celebrates three important events—the birth, full awakening, and the passing away—of the historical Buddha Siddhartha Gautama.

FORUM: "Hope'' International Day of Vesak 2026. A devotional and contemplative day honoring Vesāk, the Buddha’s birth, awakening, and parinibbāna. Through chanting, meditation, and Dhamma reflections, practitioners deepen gratitude, faith and commitment to the path. Visakha Puja, or the Day of Vesak, is the festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana (passing away) of the Lord Buddha. It falls on the full moon day of the month of Visakha or Vesak, the sixth lunar month, (which usually falls during the period May in the Gregorian calendar).According to the Theravada tradition, the three most important events in the life of the Buddha-his birth, his entry into enlightenment and his achievement of parinirvana-all occurred on the full moon day of Visakha. Aspects of the Dharma relating to the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of the Buddha include gratitude, the Four Noble Truths and mindfulness. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #VesakDay, #Buddhism.

EVENTS: On Friday, May 01st at U.N. Headquarters, the International Day of Vesak 2026 will be held. The representatives of the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations and the Permanent Mission of Sri lanka to the United Nations will co-host the ceremony. At the UNESCO regional offices and in all the Buddhist Temples of the world, activities and healing sessions will be held for the occasion. Sixteen Buddhist countries jointly agreed to organize activities on the Day of Vesak. Each country act, in turn, as coordinator in organizing the festival marking the anniversary for the birth of Buddha. Register to participate!

In Manila, Philippines, on the 2nd of May 1:23 AM (GMT+8) until 9th of May 2026 11:00PM (GMT+8); You’re warmly invited to join us for a special Wesak Full Moon Meditation which is the Most Powerful Full Moon of the Year—a sacred time of immense spiritual energy, blessing, and transformation. During this powerful period, we come together in meditation to receive divine light, cultivate inner stillness, and bless the Earth with loving-kindness. Wesak is a unique opportunity to align with higher energies and uplift not only ourselves, but humanity as a whole. This gathering will also include a special video lecture by Master Choa Kok Sui on “Realize A Masterful Life”, offering deeper insights into the current times and how we can respond with awareness, strength, and spiritual understanding. Join with an open heart and experience the peace, clarity, and blessings of this sacred Full Moon. "Pranic Healing is not intended to replace orthodox medicine but rather to complement it. If an ailment is severe or symptoms persist, please consult immediately a medical doctor and a reputable Pranic Healer." - Master Choa Kok Sui

on the 2nd of May; You’re warmly invited to join us for a special Wesak Full Moon Meditation which is the Most Powerful Full Moon of the year—a sacred time of immense spiritual energy, blessing, and transformation. During this powerful period, we come together in meditation to receive divine light, cultivate inner stillness, and bless the Earth with loving-kindness. Wesak is a unique opportunity to align with higher energies and uplift not only ourselves, but humanity as a whole. This gathering will also include a special video lecture by Master Choa Kok Sui on “Realize A Masterful Life”, offering deeper insights into the current times and how we can respond with awareness, strength, and spiritual understanding. Join with an open heart and experience the peace, clarity, and blessings of this sacred Full Moon. "Pranic Healing is not intended to replace orthodox medicine but rather to complement it. If an ailment is severe or symptoms persist, please consult immediately a medical doctor and a reputable Pranic Healer." - Master Choa Kok Sui.


On May 30th, 2026, a Celebration of the INTERNATIONAL VESAK 2026 at the Hương Đạo Buddhist Temple – Fort Worth, Texas will be held. Friends and community members are warmly invited to volunteer for the 2026 International Vesak Celebration. Vesak commemorates the Birth and Enlightenment of the Bodhisatta and the Passing Away of the Buddha. To help create a peaceful and welcoming celebration, we are seeking volunteers to serve between now and May 30, 2026. There are many ways to help — from setup and hospitality to food service, parking support, candle offering assistance, and technical support. Whether you can serve one day or more, your time and heart make a meaningful difference. Volunteer sign-up link in the comments. With gratitude, Volunteer Coordinating Team

On May 24th, 2026; The Magnolia Grove Meditation Practice Center at 123 Towles Road, Batesville, MS 38606 will celebrate the Buddha’s Continuation Day. On this day, we will bathe the baby Buddha statue, to honor when he was born in the historical dimension but also to remind ourselves of our own inner baby Buddha. Though we may be part-time Buddhas, as our Teacher, Thay, would often mention in his Dharma talks, we can always embody this Buddha nature by cultivating our Understanding and our Love for ourselves and all beings. Did you know that Vesak is a day where we actually celebrate three major events in the Buddha’s life? His Birthday, his attaining Enlightenment after meditating 49 days under the Bodhi tree, and also his passing away into Nirvana. Come join us this Sunday and participate in Thay’s teaching: The future Buddha may take place in the form of a sangha, a community. Save the date and bring your family and friends!

Retreat Registration Procedure – Bhavana Society: Registration is not required to attend Vesak. You are welcome to simply show up!

On Saturday 2nd of May 2026; a Vesak Day Celebration 2026 with Ajahn Brahm, from 3 pm to 6.30 pm AEST at the Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill VIC 3128. The BSV also proudly presents an opportunity to put your voice and face to the day through filmed reflections on the theme of Hope. A warm invitation to participate in our Vesak Celebration. A wonderful medley of: school performances? chanting, dhamma talk ('Don't worry be Hopey') and quiz, wish-making and reading book signings, sales and merchandise and your chance to become a member by taking the 5 precepts and 3 refuges with Ajahn Brahm. This is a registered free event due to limited venue capacity with a waitlist available for change of minds or those last minute hiccups that mean you can no longer make it. Children on laps don't need a separate ticket.; Registration is required to join the event.

 In United States, On April 30th, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30 PM. EST in the Conference room V at the United Nations Headquarters; The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations hosted a High-level Event entitled '' Leveraging Buddhist Heritage for Strengthening Global Peace and Cooperation to commemorate the Vesak Day 2026. Watch the webcast! 

FESTIVALS: In 2026, Vesak is primarily observed around the end of May, with many countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, celebrating on May 31, 2026. Other regions may observe it on different dates, such as May 30 in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, or May 1 in parts of India and Cambodia. Watch the Vesak Festivals 2026!

STATEMENTS: “Guided by the Buddha’s example, let us summon our shared humanity and build the more peaceful and sustainable world all people need and deserve.” Read the full statement of the United Nations Secretary-General message on the International Day of Vesak 2026.

powered by Surfing Waves
powered by Surfing Waves
powered by Surfing Waves
powered by Surfing Waves

PODCASTS: May this Vesak Day bring you new spirit, new beginnings and new prosperity.

The objectives will be:

  1. To promote among Buddhists an awareness of the importance of the Day of Vesak and of the central teachings and practices related to it.

  2. To help the Buddhists develop skillful thinking and wholesome deeds on the Day of Vesak and to help them in developing their own social and personal lives to practice the central teachings of gratitude, the Four Noble Truths and mindfulness.

  3. To cultivate a positive attitude towards important days of the Buddhist calendar and to help men and women to see the value of living their life in accordance with the fundamental teachings of gratitude, the Four Noble Truths and mindfulness.

  4. To imbue Buddhists with faith and a realisation of the importance of Buddhism.

  5. To help Buddhists to become good Buddhists and to perform their religious duties correctly.

 

WHAT WILL BE THE BENEFITS?

Buddhists will come to understand the importance of Visakha Puja with its fundamental teachings of gratitude, the Four Noble Truths and mindfulness. Buddhists will come to develop a positive attitude towards Buddhism and to see the value of living a life in accordance with the central teachings of gratitude, the Four Noble Truths and mindfulness. Buddhists will come to be imbued with faith and to realise the importance of Buddhism. Buddhists will become good Buddhists who know correctly how to perform their religious duties.

 

WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?

On the 13th December, 1999 at the General Assembly of the United Nations, Session No. 54, Agenda item 174, proposed to the General Assembly members that it recognize the Day of Vesak as an international day, and make appropriate arrangements for international observance of Vesak at United Nations Headquarters and at United Nations Regional Information offices.

The U.N. General Assembly took into consideration the fact that Buddhism is one of the world's oldest religions and that, for over two and a half millennia, it has made, and still continues to make, a significant contribution to human spirituality.

GET INVOLVED!

Encourage peoples to celebrate Visakha Puja by to perform meritorious deeds as a way to prolong life, bring happiness and avoid suffering, sorrow, illness and unforeseen dangers.

Encourage others to observe the precepts, listened to homilies, to make offerings to individual monks and to the Sangha as a whole, offermeals to the monks and novices, and gave charity to the poor, the orphans, the helpless, the aged and the disabled.

Collect some money to purchase animals of four legs and two legs, turtles and fish to preserve their lives by setting them free, in the belief that such actions would prolong your own life and lives of the whole community".

PARTNERSHIPS

The International Day of Vesak is co-hosted by the ASEAN community, the U.N. Permanent Missions and the representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, Cyprus, Grenada, Greece, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Seychelles, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States of America.

World Heritage Properties

Discover the cultural routes of the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha and the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur.

Next
Next

WORLD TUNA DAY