Throughout East Asia, Buddhist dates vary between different schools of thought and national makeup. For purposes here, the focus is on festivals related to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Events Honoring the Buddha Buddha s Birthday. It is the most holy day of the Buddhist calendar. Though festivals differ from country to country, most activities focus on temples and monasteries.
People gather to listen to sermons and process in candle-lit movements around temples.
Particular Buddha representations receive honor at differing times. Whether seen as physical representations of the enlightened one, heavenly Buddhas, or as objects worthy of reverence in their own right, ceremonies give respect to figures throughout the Buddhist world. Particular texts receive veneration on specific days throughout East Asia. Particular celebrations, marking Sangha foundings, vary from country to country. Often such festivals last for several days with entertainment of plays, dances, comedians, movies and videos.