Vesak: What is it and how is it celebrated?

Vesak is one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist calendar.

It is also known as Wesak, Visakha Bucha or Buddha Day.

It is a celebration of Buddha's birthday and, for some Buddhists, marks his enlightenment and his final passing too.

It is also a time to reflect on Buddha's teachings and what it means to be Buddhist.

Read on to find out more about Buddha and the Vesak festival.

Most Buddhists follow the teachings of a man called Siddhartha Gautama - also known as the Buddha.

Siddhartha is believed to have been a prince who was born into a wealthy family in a country that is now called Nepal in the 5th Century BC.

It's believed that Siddhartha Gautama realised that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness.

He travelled as a homeless holy man, and on these travels he witnessed suffering in the world.

It's believed that after six years of studying and meditation on his travels, he became spiritually aware and reached his goal of discovering how to be free from the suffering we experience as humans.

This is called enlightenment.

At this time, he became the Buddha and for the rest of his life he taught his followers of his experiences.

Buddha is a title, rather than a name, which means "the enlightened one" or "the awakened one".

Vesak is celebrated once a year.

The date of Vesak changes each year as it takes place at the time of the first full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha.

This usually falls in May or it can sometimes fall early in June.

Each Buddhist culture has its own traditions for the day, but it is celebrated in lots of different countries, including many across Asia such as India, Thailand, and North and South Korea.

Many Buddhists will go to their local temple and some might even stay there throughout the day and night of the full moon.

Many will do good deeds, take part in chanting and meditation, reflect on Buddhist teachings, bring offerings to the temple and share food with other people.

In some South East Asian countries, there is a unique candle procession called Wian Tian or Wien Thien. People circle the pagoda or main temple with candles, incense and flowers three times.

The number three is important as it symbolises The Buddha, The Dhamma (which is the Buddhist teachings) and The Sangha (the community of monks).

Families may decorate their homes with lanterns, take part in processions and wear special white clothes to mark the occasion.

A ceremony called Bathing the Buddha may also be held, when water is poured over the shoulders of the Buddha to remind people to clear their minds of negative thoughts, such as greed and hatred.