As Buddhists celebrate their main holiday

• As Buddhists celebrate their most important holiday of

May 13th Buddhists began the celebration of Vesak - a holiday, which symbolizes the day of birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha Gautama. It is worth mentioning the exact date of the holiday depends on the lunar calendars of different traditions. He falls on the full moon day of the second month of Hindu calendar. The name of the holiday was the title of the Indian month Vaisakha that Sinhala sounds like "Wesak". The focus of the action - the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha, which marks a turning point in the knowledge of the truth.

Traditionally, within the framework of the Wesak Festival in all Buddhist temples are great ceremony. The monks all day praying for the welfare of all living beings and give praise to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Also it is taken to light lanterns, symbolizing enlightenment that comes into this world. People send greeting cards to your friends, which is usually represented by the memorable events in the life of Siddhartha. In the days of the festival are also encouraged given (alms to the monks) as a sign of charity and to confirm that they do not forget their duty to the sangha (monastic community).

During the Wesak celebration.

Buddhist monks in the monastery Kon Meng San Phor Kark C on the eve of Vesak celebration.

Buddha Statues for Sale.

The Buddhists with candles in their hands walking around a statue of Buddha in the temple during Vesak celebrations.

The believers in the monastery Kon Meng San Phor Kark C in the eve of the feast

Believers in Kelaniya temple during Vesak celebrations.

Buddhist monk during celebration

The Believer

The faithful during the celebration

Buddha statue in the illumination

In the temple of Borobudur during the celebration of Vesak