The Buddhist Festival in India

The Buddhists in Ladakh and in the Northeast celebrate the birth of the Lord Buddha, Guru Rimpoche Padmasambhava (Lotus Born) with frenzied mask dances - Chaams, and ritual display of painted scrolls (Tangkhas). The monasteries of Hemis in Ladakh, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh and Rumtek in Sikkim, are particularly renowned for these performances. Buddhist Festivals are joyous occasions. It provides perfect opportunity for people to gather together and celebrate.

Buddhist Religion follows the lunar calendar. Most of the festivals are celebrated on full moon day. In the monasteries, the festivals revolve around donations and gifts. Common people who go there are offered meals. Senior members of the sangha often lecture on the teachings of Buddhism.

The tradition of meeting and recitation of rules to the disciples persist even to this day and monasteries hold fortnightly meetings on full moon day. Shaving of the head is a tradition that is strictly followed. The idea of moral purity and inner cleansing is given great importance.

Attainment of enlightenment of Buddha is the central theme of Buddhism and during full moon in the month of May or June this is celebrated in grand style. During the celebration, the life and work of Lord Buddha are recollected. There were many disciples of Buddha who also attained enlightenment were also remembered during the celebration. There is also a celebration in the month of July. Lord Buddha rose from his meditation in Sarnath and went about to share his experience with his pupils. It is celebrated as the Dharma Day. This is the best time to reflect on the Buddhist Scriptures.

The full moon day in the month of November is remembered as the Sangha Day as it was in this particular day that the idea of propounding a spiritual community was formed. Sangha Day is the time of exchanging gifts. The month of February is very important in the Buddhist Festival calendar. It was in a full moon day in this month that Buddha left for heaven. Buddhists, however, celebrate the death of Buddha as Buddhism centers around impermanence of all things.