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Buddhism: Living the Buddhist Life

Buddhist festivals and retreats

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Overview

Wesak, Vassa and why the Rain Retreat began, Kathina, the Anapanasati Sutta, Uposatha days, Hanamatsuri, Obon and its origin, Parinibbana Day, Lama Tsong Khapa Day, and differing dates.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is Wesak?

Key term

How is Wesak celebrated?

Key term

What is Vassa?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is Wesak?

    Model answer

    Wesak is the most important Theravada festival, held at the full moon in May or June. Wesak celebrates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.

  2. 2

    How is Wesak celebrated?

    Model answer

    Buddhists visit the vihara, make offerings and light lanterns and candles. Some Buddhists release caged birds or animals as an act of compassion.

  3. 3

    What is Vassa?

    Model answer

    Vassa is the three-month Rain Retreat of Theravada monks and nuns, from about July to October. The monastics stay in one place to meditate and study.

  4. 4

    Why did the Rain Retreat begin?

    Model answer

    The Buddha told monks not to travel in the monsoon, when roads flooded and they could harm crops and small creatures.

  5. 5

    How do lay Buddhists take part in Vassa?

    Model answer

    Lay people support the monks with food and may keep extra precepts. Some lay Buddhists give up meat or alcohol for the three months.

  6. 6

    What is Kathina?

    Model answer

    Kathina is a ceremony at the end of Vassa when lay people offer cloth to the monks. The monks make a new robe from it, traditionally within one day.

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