May 2007 just had two full moon days, the 1st and the 31st.
Some countries (including Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Malaysia) celebrated Vesākha
on the 1st, while others (Thailand, Singapore) celebrated the holiday on the
31st due to different local lunar observance. This difference also manifests in
the observance of other Buddhist holidays, which are traditionally observed at
the local full moon.
Likewise, in 2012, Vesak or the birth anniversary of the
Buddha was observed on 28 April in Hong Kong and Taiwan, on 5 May in Sri Lanka,
on 6 May in India, on 28 May in South Korea and on 4 June in Thailand. (In 1999
the Taiwanese government set Buddha's birthday as the second Sunday of May, the
same date as Mother's Day.
On Vesākha day, devout Buddhists and followers
alike are expected and requested to assemble in their various temples before
dawn for the ceremonial, and honorable, hoisting of the Buddhist flag and the
singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings), and The Sangha (his disciples). Devotees may bring simple offerings
of flowers, candles and joss-sticks to lay at the feet of their teacher. These
symbolic offerings are to remind followers that just as the beautiful flowers
would wither away after a short while and the candles and joss-sticks would
soon burn out, so too is life subject to decay and destruction. Devotees are
enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are
encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day. In some countries,
notably Sri Lanka, two days are set aside for the celebration of Vesākha and
all liquor shops and slaughter houses are closed by government decree during
the two days. Also birds, insects and animals are released by the thousands in
what is known as a 'symbolic act of liberation'; of giving freedom to those who
are in captivity, imprisoned, or tortured against their will.[citation needed]
Some devout Buddhists will wear a simple white dress and spend the whole day in
temples with renewed determination to observe the eight Precepts.
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