Festivals and Retreats

Festivals in Buddhism

Vesak, also known as Buddha Day, is a significant festival celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha.
Celebrations may involve giving alms, meditating, and chanting verses from the Buddhist scriptures.
Erecting and decorating of Vesak lanterns, as well as processions, dances and plays, are often done as a sign of devotion and celebration.
It’s a time for Buddhists to reaffirm their commitment to Buddhist practises and principles.

Magha Puja is a day that commemorates the Buddha’s teachings of the Ovada Patimokkha to his first 1,250 disciples.
Rituals may include circumambulation, where followers walk around a temple or a sacred object as a means of veneration.
Buddhists may also renew their commitment to the Buddha’s teachings and make merits through generosity, virtue, and mental cultivation.

Uposatha is an observance day occurring four times a month where Buddhists intensify their practise, deepen their knowledge, and express communal commitment to the Dharma.
It’s common for Buddhists to follow the Eight Precepts, engage in meditation, study Buddhist scriptures and perform meritorious actions on this day.

Retreats in Buddhism provide an opportunity for followers to focus entirely on their spiritual practise without everyday distractions.
They can deepen their understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, strengthen their meditation practise, and cultivate a sense of inner peace.

Activities may include individual and group meditation sessions, chanting, receiving teachings, and participating in discussions.
Daily chores are also part of many retreats, fulfilling the practise of mindfulness in everyday tasks.

Retreats may be residential, where participants live on site or non-residential, where participants return to their homes in the evening.
They can range from a single day to many months in length, and some are held in silence, known as silent retreats.
Some retreats focus on specific themes or practises, such as the study of a particular text or a focus on loving-kindness meditation.