Festivals and retreats
There are two main festivals in the Buddhist calendar. These are Wesak and Parinirvana Day. In addition, Buddhists may also take part in retreats, which allow for spiritual development.
Wesak
Wesak is commonly celebrated in May. It is the Buddhist festival that celebrates the birth of the The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, after his enlightenment. It is a title which means the enlightened or awakened one.. Wesak also commemorates the three major events in the Buddha’s life, which were his birth, his The realisation of the truth about life. In Buddhism it releases a person from the cycle of rebirth. and his death. It is also known as Buddha Day.
Wesak is celebrated in several ways, including by releasing paper lanterns. This symbolises the light to the path of enlightenment through overcoming the darkness of ignorance. Meaning ‘teachings of the elders'. It is primarily focused on the Arhat path to enlightenment. This branch of Buddhism can be found in Sri Lanka and South East Asia. may also release cadged birds. This symbolises the Buddha’s release from the cycle of In Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, this is the cycle of life, death and rebirth..
Parinirvana Day
Parinirvana Day is linked to Wesak as it is concerned with the Buddha’s death. It is commonly celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists on 15 February and it commemorates when the Buddha achieved final The state when Buddhists have achieved understanding and have broken free from the cycle of samsara. Can be called Nirvana..
Parinirvana Day is a more reflective festival than Wesak as it allows Buddhists the opportunity to think about their own immortality and death. Mahayana Buddhists may go on a A journey which has religious or spiritual significance, usually to an important religious place. to Kushinagar. This is believed by many Buddhists to be the site of the Buddha’s death. When Buddhists go to Kushinagar, they visit the temple and give thanks to the Buddha.
Retreats
In the UK, there are a number of retreats that Buddhists use to practise Thinking quietly as a spiritual or religious exercise. Connection of the mind and soul with the Divine using breathing and other techniques. In Buddhism, using one of a set of techniques or exercises for calming the mind, developing positive emotions and understanding the way things are. and remember the Buddha’s life. Buddhists may use retreats to remember key moments in the Buddha’s life but also to free themselves from cravings and undertake samatha or vipassana meditation.
Question
How can retreats help Buddhists?
Retreats can help Buddhists to practise meditation and remember the Buddha’s life.