Who was Buddha?

Learning Objective: To understand how and why the life of the Buddha is celebrated during Vesak.

next www.planbee.com Can you name some religious festivals?

Talk to a partner.

back next www.planbee.com Did you think of Raksha Bandhan any of these? Christmas Yom Kippur Eid al-Fitr Diwali

Do you know how any of these festivals are celebrated?

Talk to a partner. back next www.planbee.com Vesak is an important festival for Buddhists. It is sometimes called Buddha’s Birthday!

A Vesak ceremony at a temple.

back next www.planbee.com Vesak is celebrated at different times in different parts of the world. Most Buddhists celebrate it on a day in May when there is a full moon.

Full moon over the Swayambhunath Stūpa in Kathmandu, Nepal. back next www.planbee.com During Vesak, Buddhists remember the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.

Most Buddhists will go to a temple to worship and give offerings of flowers or incense. The Buddhist flag is raised over temples. back next www.planbee.com Buddhists help other people on Vesak. They may give vegetarian food to temple visitors or people who are old, sick or very poor.

They may also donate money or help people in need.

back next www.planbee.com During Vesak, Buddhists try to remember the things that Buddha taught, and make vows to live their lives in a kind and noble way.

Let’s take a look at some of the different ways in which Vesak is celebrated around the world... back next www.planbee.com Monks in Thailand light floating candles. back next www.planbee.com Women praying at a temple in Sri Lanka. back next www.planbee.com back In many countries, Buddhists pour water over statues of Buddha. next www.planbee.com Colourful paper lanterns are hung around temples. back next www.planbee.com back Birds and insects are sometimes released. next www.planbee.com How are the ways Vesak is celebrated different to the ways other religious festivals are celebrated?

Talk to a partner. back next www.planbee.com Today we will be learning more about Vesak by doing some of the things that Buddhists do during the festival.

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