The decision to agree to celebrate Vesākha as the Buddha’s
birthday was formalized at the first conference of the World Fellowship of
Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in 1950, although festivals at this time in the
Buddhist world are a centuries-old tradition. The resolution that was adopted
at the World Conference reads as follows
That
this Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, while recording its
appreciation of the gracious act of His Majesty, the Maharaja of Nepal in
making the full-moon day of Vesak a Public Holiday in Nepal, earnestly requests
the Heads of Governments of all countries in which large or small number of
Buddhists are to be found, to take steps to make the full-moon day in the month
of May a Public Holiday in honour of the Buddha, who is universally acclaimed
as one of the greatest benefactors of Humanity.
On Vesākha Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate
events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment
and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was
assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesākha is celebrated
in many different ways all over the world.
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