导语：【2011年世界各國衛塞節慶祝大會】
2011年萬名僧侶齊聚曼谷慶祝衛塞節
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【2011年世界各國衛塞節慶祝大會】
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照片內容：聯合國國際衛塞節大會-泰國曼谷 (網路資料照片)
2006年第三屆聯合國國際衛塞節世界佛教大會
http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/www.gx.xinhuanet.com/ca/2006-05/09/content_6936012.htm
2007年第四屆聯合國國際衛塞節世界佛教大會
http://www.tipitaka.net/community/news.php?page=070602z1&lang=zh-hant
2008年第五屆聯合國衛塞節國際佛教大會
http://hi.baidu.com/%BB%AA%D1%CF%BA%A3%BB%E1/blog/item/5a44d54c375ba8fcd62afc73.html
http://longquanzs.org/articledetail.php?id=400&class=1
2009年第六屆聯合國衛塞節組圖
http://www.photobuddha.net/ListThing.asp?FirstClass=20
2010年第七屆聯合國衛塞節專題
http://www.photobuddha.net/ListThing.asp?FirstClass=22
2011年第八屆聯合國衛塞節新聞
http://news.pusa123.com/viewnews-6943.shtml
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衛塞節
衛塞節（Vesak）是南傳佛教傳統紀念佛教創始人釋迦牟尼佛祖誕生、成道、涅槃的節日。東南亞和南亞國家如斯里蘭卡、泰國、緬甸、新加坡、馬來西亞、印度尼西亞、尼泊爾等國的佛教徒，均在這一年一度的重要節日中舉行盛大的慶典活動。
衛塞（Vesak）是斯里蘭卡僧伽羅語，源於巴利文「Visakha」一詞。在印度、孟加拉、尼泊爾，該節日稱為「Visakah Puja」或「Buddha Purnima」；在泰國稱「Visakha Bucha」；在印度尼西亞稱「Waisak」；斯里蘭卡和馬來西亞稱「Vesak」或「Wesak」；在寮國稱「Vixakha Bouxa」；緬甸稱「Ka-sone」。
每年衛塞節的日期根據曆法而定，是在五月的月圓之日。將這天（或數天）列作公眾假期的包括斯里蘭卡、馬來西亞、緬甸、泰國、新加坡、越南等國。鑒於衛塞節已獲得聯合國承認，因此國際的正式名稱是「聯合國衛塞節」（United Nations Day of Vesak）。
衛塞節訂立
衛塞節，其實是把佛陀誕生、成道、湼槃，於同一日紀念。原來，據記載[來源請求]，佛陀5月的一個月圓之日出生；35年後又在5月的某月圓之日，於菩提樹下悟道；後來他湼槃那天，巧的也是5月的月圓之日。三者雖非同一天，卻全都在5月份，且有月圓之最大共同特點。於是，後世的佛教徒，便訂下在每年5月的第一個月圓日，慶祝衛塞節。Vesak在印度古代梵文的意思，正就是「月圓」解也。
成為國際節日
在1950年，國際佛教團體世界佛教聯誼會（World Fellowship of Buddhists, W.F.B.）在斯里蘭卡的首屆會議中，通過了慶祝衛塞節的決定，並「……請求各國政府領袖，為其國內多數或少數的佛教徒的存在，作出行動將五月的月圓之日定作公眾假期，以紀念佛陀－祂在全世界上是被譽為人類的最大利益者之一。」當然，衛塞節（或內容相類似的節日）的傳統實際上已經存在了多個世紀。
聯合國承認
在1999年的第54屆聯合國大會上，由十六國代表共同簽署的信件中，請求了對「衛塞節的國際認同」。[1]信中指出：「佛陀的教導，和祂的慈悲、和平、善良的信息感動了世界上千千萬萬的人。」「世界上無數的人跟隨佛陀的教導，而且在衛塞節紀念佛陀的誕生、成道、離世。」
同年，希臘、挪威、土耳其、美國等國亦加入倡議行列。1999年12月，在聯合國的通訊發表中，表示有關衛塞節的倡議草案在沒有投票的情況下被採用。[2]
衛塞節的慶祝
泰國
2006年5月7-10日，泰國曼谷舉辦了聯合國衛塞節的慶祝活動。在慶祝衛塞節之際，也是泰國國王蒲美蓬登基六十週年，因此成為了雙重慶典。
由40多國佛教代表參與的國際佛教會議、唱頌祈禱儀式和點燭活動，於佛統府大佛城（Buddhamonthon）及聯合國會議中心召開。時聯合國秘書長安南為慶典送上了祝賀。
衛塞節日期
基本上，衛塞節是以落在陽曆5月份的第一個月圓之日（望日），所以每年的對應西曆日子都稍有不同（一般而言在農曆四月十五左右）。有些國家，用佛教獨有的曆法來計算日子，會有差異。例如在2007年，馬來西亞的衛塞節訂於5月1日（農曆三月十五日），而新加坡則將其訂於5月31日（農曆四月十五日）。
2006年 5月12日
2007年 5月01日
2008年 5月18日
2009年 5月09日
2010年 5月27日
2011年 5月17日
2012年 5月05日
相關節日
東亞地區的中國、日本、韓國、越南、蒙古、西藏、台灣、香港、澳門等國家和地區，均流行北傳佛教／大乘佛教，在相類似的節慶裏一般僅慶祝佛祖誕生。詳細請參見佛誕。
本文出處：維基百科衛塞節：http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8D%AB%E5%A1%9E%E8%8A%82
相關內容：Vesākha - Wikipedia：http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ves%C4%81kha
相關內容：維基百科佛誕節：http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%9B%E8%AA%95
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佛誕
本文介紹的是東亞地區的節慶。關於東南亞以及南亞地區的佛教相關節慶，詳見「衛塞節」。
釋迦牟尼佛太子像
佛誕是大乘佛教紀念和慶祝佛教創始人佛祖釋迦牟尼誕生的日子，又稱「浴佛節」、「灌佛會」、「龍華會」、「華嚴會」等。南傳佛教地帶則多慶祝衛塞節。
自古以來，在當天佛教廟宇都舉行一連串盛大的浴佛儀式、慶祝活動，祈求佛祖福澤社會，消弭災難，以及禮請法師開壇說法，說教論道。佛教徒都會在這一天回顧和學習佛祖慈悲的教導。
慶祝佛誕節的國家和地區包括中國大陸、香港、澳門、台灣、蒙古、韓國、日本、越南等地。歷史上，由於各地曆法的轉換，依據不同佛經以及流傳到不同地域形成的傳統，可能在公曆日期上差距甚大。
大部份北傳佛教國家地區，多少受到中國影響。於中國而言，其曆法認為陰曆四月初八是最吉祥的日子，故一般把佛誕日定在這一天，但也有二月初八、十二月初八等說法。朝鮮、日本的佛教可說源於中國，基本上沿用了四月初八的說法。
其他的，顧名思義，佛誕即釋迦牟尼佛祖誕生之日。
公元前623年，佛祖誕生在北印度，為淨飯王之太子，天有九龍吐出香水為太子洗浴。因此典故，便有了慶祝的重要內容之一：以香水沐浴佛身，所以佛誕節又名「浴佛節」。
傳統
信眾會到寺院，參與浴佛、獻花、獻果、供僧、供舍利、演戲等等節目。
有些地方傳統會將佛像請到街上遊行，置於大象上，或以花車乘載。寺院會開放讓信徒進入炷香、禮拜佛像、供養僧眾。
今日的華人地區，常會引入世間慶祝的習慣，如舞龍舞獅，張燈掛彩，甚至燃放炮竹。
中國大陸
每年農曆四月初八，四川省甘孜藏族自治州康定地區的人們匯聚到馬山麓、折多河畔，舉行拜佛節，祈禱神佛保佑人們五穀豐登。
香港
香港在長洲、大嶼山及屯門等地有大型慶祝活動，如飄色巡遊等。香港旅遊發展局舉辦的「傳統節慶巡禮」，亦重點推介佛誕慶祝活動。
1998年，覺光法師為香港成功爭取佛誕日為假期，提高佛教文化和中國傳統節日的影響。
日本
稱為灌佛會（灌仏会，かんぶつえ）。亦名降誕會、佛生會、浴佛會、龍華會、花會式、花祭。
中華民國（台灣）
佛教徒普遍於農曆四月初八舉行慶祝及浴佛典禮。經佛教徒之爭取，1999年起，內政部在國定紀念日中，正式納入佛陀誕辰紀念日，日期為農曆四月八日[1]，由有關機關、團體舉行紀念活動。由於日期接近五月第二星期日母親節，各大佛教團體也常與母親節合併舉行慶祝。
各國名稱
韓國 석가탄신일（釋迦誕辰日）
越南 Lễ Phật đản（禮佛誕）
日本 灌仏会（灌佛會）
本文出處：維基百科佛誕：http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%9B%E8%AA%95
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2011年萬名僧侶齊聚曼谷慶祝衛塞節
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【2011年世界各國衛塞節慶典】
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2011 Vesak / 2011 Wesak Celebration
In Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India
2011年衛塞節 / 2011年衛塞慶典
在馬來西亞，新加坡，印尼，香港，泰國，柬埔寨，台灣，越南，尼泊爾，斯里蘭卡，巴基斯坦和印度 (日本，韓國等)
Vesak is an annual public holiday observed traditionally by practicing Buddhists in South Asian and South East Asian countries like Nepal, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, Pakistan and India. Sometimes informally called “Buddha’s birthday,” it actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment Nirvana, and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.
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When Is Vesak 2011 / Wesak 2011?
2011年，2012年衛塞節是哪一天?
Vesak Day 2011
2011年衛塞節，5月17日星期二
When is Vesak 2011? Vesak 2011 falls on Tuesday, 17 May 2011, which is the 15th day in the 4th month of Chinese lunar calendar. However, some countries observes the Vesak Day 2011 on different dates.
Vesak Day 2012
2012年衛塞節，5月5日星期六
When is Vesak 2012? Vesak 2012 falls on Saturday, 5 May 2012, which is the 15th day in the 4th month of Chinese lunar calendar. However, some countries observes the Vesak Day 2012 on different dates.
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Date Of Vesak Day
衛塞節的日期
Vesak 2011 is celebrated by Buddhist around the world, and in different manners all over the world. Though some countries occasionally use different date for this festival, many would fall on the same day.
The exact date of Vesak Day varies according to the various lunar calendars used in different countries and traditions. In Theravada countries following the Buddhist calendar, it falls on the full moon Uposatha day (typically the 5th or 6th lunar month). Vesak Day in China, Hong Kong and Macau is on the eighth of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar.
Thus the date varies from year to year, but as general consensus in many countries, falls on the full-month day in May.
The decision to agree to celebrate the Vesak 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.”
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Vesak Day Around The World
世界各國衛塞節
Vesak Day is often referred to with other names in each country. Official names of Vesak Day are Vesākha, Vesak, Wesak, Waisak, Visakah Puja, Vaishaka, Buddha Purnima, Visakha Bucha, Saga Dawa, 佛誕 (fó dàn), Phật Đản, and วิสาขบูชา
In Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the holiday is known by its Sanskrit name, वैशाख Vaiśākha, and derived variants of it. Vesākha is known as Vesak or Wesak (衛塞節) in the Sinhalese language.
It is also known as:
* बुद्ध पुर्णिमा/বুদ্ধ পূর্ণিমা Buddha Purnima or बुद्ध जयंती/বুদ্ধ জয়ন্তী Buddha Jayanti in India, Bangladesh and Nepal
* 花祭 (Hanamatsuri) in Japan,
* 석가 탄신일 Seokka Tanshin-il (Hanja: 釋迦誕身日) in Korean (Korea),
* 佛誕 (Mandarin: Fódàn, Cantonese: Fātdàahn) in Chinese-speaking communities in China, Singapore, Taiwan.
* Phật Đản in Vietnamese (Vietnam),
* ས་ག་ཟླ་བ། Saga Dawa (sa ga zla ba) in Tibetan (Tibet),
* (Kasone la-pyae Boda nei), lit. “Full Moon Day of Kason,” the second month of the traditional Burmese calendar (Burma)
* វិសាខបូជា Visak Bochéa in Khmer (Cambodia),
* ວິຊຂບູຊ Vixakha Bouxa in Laotian (Laos)
* วันวิสาขบูชา Visakah Puja, Vesakha Puja, or Visakha Bucha in Thai (Thailand),
* Waisak in Indonesia,
* වෙසක් පසළොස්වක පෝය Vesak / Wesak in Sri Lanka and Malaysia
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Singapore Vesak 2011
新加坡2011年衛塞節
The Vesak Day is an extremely important occasion observed in Singapore. Huge crowds will usually assemble at various Buddhist temples around the city. Inside the Buddha temples the monks chant sacred hymns and a large number of devotees set caged-birds free. Setting the imprisoned birds free is considered as a graceful gesture which serves as a mark of respect to all living creatures in the world. On this day, Singapore Buddhist youths organize blood donation camps and distribute gifts to the poor people. During the evenings, candlelit processions are found walking across the streets of Singapore and this is how the festival is ended.
You can observe the Vesak Day festival in Singapore for free as people can enter the temples free of charge. Some of the best points in the city for observing the festivities of Vesak Day in Singapore are the Buddhist Lodge at River Valley Road, The Thai Buddhist Temple at Jalan Bukit Merah and Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple at Jalan Toa Payoh.
The Singapore Vesak Day is always celebrated in the month of May and is a yearly event. Vesak 2011 is celebrated on 17 May 2011 in Singapore.(新加坡2011年5月17日慶祝衛塞節)
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Hari Waisak 2011 In Indonesia
印度尼西亞2011年衛塞節
Hari Waisak celebrations in Indonesia generally follows the decision of The World Fellowship of Buddhists. Hari Waisak 2011 in Indonesia will be celebrated on Tuesday, 17 May 2011. Traditionally, the celebration is focused nationally on the complex of Borobudur Temple in Central Java.(印尼2011年5月17日慶祝衛塞節)
Rituals of national Waisak (Vesak) celebration in Indonesia usually observe following ceremonies:
1. Taking blessed water from the spring of Jumprit in Temanggung Country and torch ignition with the eternal flame of Mrapen, Grobogan County.
2. “Pindatapa” ritual, a ritual of giving food to the monks by the congregation to remind that the monks had devoted his life without livelihoods.
3. Meditation on the peak of the full moon. Determination of the full moon is based on the calculation of astronomy, so that the peak of the full moon can also occur during the daytime.
Besides the three main ceremonies, other Waisak ceremonies that were also conducted are pradaksina, parades, and art events.
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2011 Wesak Day in Malaysia
馬來西亞2011年衛塞節
Wesak Day is the most important festivals of the Buddhists in Malaysia and fall in the month of May. In Malaysia, 2011 Wesak (Vesak) Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 17th 2011.(馬來西亞2011年5月17日慶祝衛塞節)
Vesak is celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha because according to Buddhists, all the three events took place on the same lunar date.
The Wesak day celebrations begins much before the dawn when the Malaysian Buddhist devotees gather in Buddhist temples for worship all over Malaysia. The Buddhists will then hoist the Buddhist flag and sing hymns in praise of the holy triple gem namely; The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings) and The Sangha (his disciples). The celebration is done with prayers, chants, offerings and giving alms. Simple offerings are also brought to the temple such as flowers while prayers using candles and joss-sticks are used.
The Buddhist eat a vegetarian diet prior to the festival in order to cleanse and purify themselves. Animals such as doves and tortoises are released by the Malaysian Buddhist devotees on the Wesak Day as a symbolic gesture of releasing the soul and giving up the past sins. Besides that, this particular act is also seen as a way of giving freedom for those that are held against their will or being tortured. Free meals are also given to the needy on the Wesak Day.
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Wesak 2011 in Sri Lanka
斯里蘭卡2011年衛塞節
In Sri Lanka the Wesak Festival is celebrated as a religious and a cultural festival in Sri Lanka on the full moon of the month of May, for two days. In Sri Lanka, Wesak 2011 will be celebrated from Tuesday, May 17th 2011 to Wednesday, May 18th 2011.(斯里蘭卡2011年5月17至18日慶祝衛塞節)
During these two days, the selling of alcohol and flesh is prohibited by government decree. As a symbolic act of liberation, birds, insects and animals are released in huge numbers.
Celebrations include various religious and alms giving activities. Electrically lit pandols called toranas are erected in various locations in Colombo and elsewhere, most sponsored by donors, religious societies and welfare groups. Each pandol illustrates a story from the 550 Jataka Katha or the 550 Past Life Stories of the Buddha.
In addition, colourful lanterns called Vesak koodu are hung along streets and in front of homes. They signify the light of the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha. Many devout Buddhists wear simple white dresses on Vesak Day and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe the observance of the Eight Precepts of Buddhism.
Vesak celebration also means making special efforts to bring happiness to the people in more straightened circumstances. Food stalls set up by Buddhist devotees called dansälas provide free food and drinks to passersby. Groups of people from various community organisations, businesses and government departments sing bhakti gee or Buddhist devotional songs. Colombo experiences a massive influx of public from all parts of the country during this week.
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2011 Buddha Purnima in India
印度2011年佛誕節
In India, Vesak Day is known as Buddha Purnima. On this day, Buddhists do not eat meat. This is considered an act of compassion towards animals. People are encouraged to perform other acts of kindness such as sharing food with the poor. Some people even set up road stalls providing free, clean drinking water. Buddha Purnima 2011 will be celebrated on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 in India. .(印度2011年5月17日慶祝佛陀日)
Birth of Buddha or Tathagata is celebrated in India, especially in Sikkim, Ladakh , Arunachal Pradesh, Bodh Gaya and Maharashtra (where 6% of total population are Buddhists) and other parts of India as per Indian calendar. Buddhist People go to common Viharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhist sutra, as something like a service. The usual dress is pure white. Non-vegetarian food is normally avoided. Kheer, a sweet rice porridge is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who, in Gautama Buddha’s life, offered the Buddha a bowl of milk porridge.
The Buddhists bathe and dress only in white clothes. They gather in their viharas (monasteries) before sunrise to worship Buddha, offer alms to the bhikshus (monks), hoist the Buddhist flag, and sing hymns admiring the sacred triple treasure: The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings), and The Sangha (his disciples).
Many devotees offer flowers, candles, and joss sticks at the feet of the monks. Such a ritual allows a Buddhist to reflect on the truth that just as the magnificent flowers shrink and the candles and joss sticks burn out in short time, our life span is too short and will decay soon.
Several followers listen to the continuous speech on the life and preaching of the Buddha throughout the day or request monks to come to their homes. Buddhist monks recite 2500 years old verses obtained from Buddha and urge people to respect other religions.
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2011 Hanamatsuri in Japan
日本2011年花祭灌佛會
In Japan, Vesākha or hanamatsuri (花祭) is also known as: Kanbutsu-e (灌仏会), Goutan-e (降誕会), Busshou-e (仏生会), Yokubutsu-e (浴仏会), Ryuge-e (龍華会), Hana-eshiki (花会式). It is not a public holiday. It is based on a legend that a dragon appeared in the sky on his birthday and poured soma over him.
It used to be celebrated on the 8th day of the fourth month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, based on one of the legends that proclaims the day as Buddha’s birthday. At present, the celebration is observed on April 8 of the Solar Calendar since the Meiji government adopted the western solar calendar as the official calendar. Since the 8th day of the fourth month in the lunar calendar commonly falls in May of the current solar calendar, it is now celebrated about a month earlier. Thus in Japan, 2011 Vesak Day will be celebrated on Friday, 8th April 2011. (日本2011年5月8日慶祝佛誕節花祭)
In Japan, the general populace are not practicing Buddhists (and may be called casual Buddhists), so most Buddhist temples provide a way to allow the general public to celebrate and participate in only the aspect of the day being Buddha’s birthday, providing the statue of baby Buddha and allowing the populace to worship or pay respect by pouring ama cha, a tea made of Hydrangea. In Buddhist temples, monasteries and nunneries, more involved ceremonies are conducted for practicing Buddhists, priests, monks and nuns. Also, there are public festivals made out of the day in some areas.
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2011 Visakha Bucha in Thailand
泰國2011年衛塞節
In Thailand, where majority of the population are buddhists, ach year, the nationwide festival of Vesak Day is held to pay tribute to the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. The Vesak Day will fall on Tuesday, May 17th 2011, however celebrations can be seen for more than a week. (泰國2011年5月17日慶祝衛塞節)
In Thailand, people will congregate around the Buddhist temples to pray and give thanks to the deity on the Vesak Day. Monks dressed in their saffron robes will lead sermons and services throughout the day, with candlelit processions often taking place once night has fallen.
萬名僧侶齊聚曼谷慶祝衛塞節
2011年5月8日，12600名僧侶聚集在泰國曼谷一起慶祝衛塞節。衛塞節是南傳佛教紀唸佛教創始人釋迦牟尼佛祖誕生、成道、涅盤的節日。
http://big5.chinabroadcast.cn/gate/big5/city.cri.cn/29484/2011/05/10/3866s2577227.htm
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2011 Buddha Poornima in Nepal
尼泊爾2011年佛誕節
The birth of the Buddha is often celebrated by Buddhists in Nepal for an entire month in the Buddhist calendar. The actual day is called Buddha Poornima (or Buddha Purnima), also traditionally known as Vaishakh Poornima. In 2011, the Buddha Poornima will fall on Tuesday, 17 May 2011. (尼泊爾2011年5月17日慶祝佛誕節)
The event is celebrated by gentle and serene fervour, keeping in mind the very nature of Buddhism. People, especially women, go to common Viharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhist sutra, as something like a service. The usual dress is pure white. Non-vegetarian food is normally avoided. Kheer, a sweet rice porridge is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who, in Gautama Buddha’s life, offered the Buddha a bowl of milk porridge after he had given up the path of asceticism following six years of extreme austerity. This event was one major link in his enlightenment.
It is said that the Buddha originally followed the way of asceticism to attain enlightenment sooner, as was thought by many at that time. He sat for a prolonged time with inadequate food and water, which caused his body to shrivel so as to be indistinguishable from the bark of the tree that he was sitting under. Seeing the weak Siddhartha Gautama, a girl named Sujata placed a bowl of milk in front of him as an offering. Realizing that without food one can do nothing, the Buddha refrained from harming his own body.
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2011 Buddha Birthday in China, Hongkong and Taiwan
中國，香港，台灣2011年佛誕節
In the Chinese speaking countries of Hongkong, China, as well as Taiwan, the Vesak Day called Guanfo (bathing the Buddha) or Yufo (Buddha’s birthday celebration featuring washing Buddha image with perfumed water). The celebrations begin before sunrise and devotees throng the temples early at dawn to meditate. Chanshi (the ceremony of chanting the sutras and confession and prayer) is practiced by monks.
As the day progresses, Buddhist devotees visit orphanages, welfare homes, homes for the aged and charitable institutions to distribute cash donations and gifts to the needy. On this occasion, caged birds are freed to symbolize humanity and compassion.
The celebration is also marked with the devotees performing the “bathing Buddha” ritual where they held a wooden ladle and poured water over a small statue of the Buddha. Bathing a statue of the Buddha symbolizes a fresh start in life and the care given to newborn babies.
Legend has it that when the historical Buddha, Prince Siddhartha, was born, there were auspicious signs heralding his birth. They describe the sky as blue and clear on his birth, with dragons spurting purified water to bathe him. Since then, Buddhists have celebrated his birthday by using fragrant water to bathe the image of Buddha.
In these East Asia countries, Buddha’s birthday is celebrated in on the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Thus in 2011, the Buddha birthday falls on Tuesday, 10th May 2011.
2011年建國百年佛誕節暨母親節慶祝大會—資訊
http://www.edupro.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7299&forum=23
2011年佛誕節—臺灣佛教界浴佛慶祝活動—影片
http://www.edupro.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7349&forum=86
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2011 Buddha Birthday in South Korea
南韓2011年釋迦誕辰日
In Korea the birthday of Buddha is celebrated according to the Lunisolar calendar. This day is called 석가탄신일 (Seokga tansinil), meaning “the day of Buddha’s birthday” or 부처님 오신 날 (Bucheonim osin nal) meaning “the day when Buddha arrived”. Lotus lanterns cover the entire temple throughout the month which are often flooded down the street. On the day of Buddha’s birth, many temples provide free meals and tea to all visitors. The breakfast and lunch provided are often sanchae bibimbap.
In 2011, South Korea will celebrate the Buddha Birthday on Tuesday, 10th May 2011.
Happy Wesak 2011 ! Happy Vesak 2011 !
本文出處：http://sgholiday.com/calendar/vesak-wesak-2011/
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Message for the Day of Vesak
6 May 2011
聯合國秘書長潘基文在衛塞節的致辭
2011年5月6日
衛塞節（Vesak）是南傳佛教傳統紀念佛教創始人釋迦牟尼佛祖誕生、成道、涅槃的節日。東南亞和南亞國家如斯里蘭卡、泰國、緬甸、新加坡、馬來西亞、印尼、尼泊爾等國的佛教徒，均在這一年一度的重要節日中舉行盛大的慶典活動。
衛塞（Vesak）是斯里蘭卡僧伽羅語，源于巴厘文“Visakha”一詞。在印度、孟加拉、尼泊爾，該節日稱為“Visakah Puja”或“Buddha Purnima”；在泰國稱“Visakha Bucha”；在印尼稱“Waisak”；斯里蘭卡和馬來西亞稱“Vesak”或“Wesak”；在老撾稱“Vixakha Bouxa”；緬甸稱“Ka-sone”。
每年衛塞節的日期根據曆法而定，是在五月的月圓之日。將這天（或數天）列作公眾假期的包括斯里蘭卡、馬來西亞、緬甸、泰國、新加坡、越南等國。鑒於衛塞節已獲得聯合國承認，因此國際的正式名稱是“聯合國衛塞節”（United Nations Day of Vesak）。
The Lord Buddha, whose birth, enlightenment and passing we mark each year on Vesak Day, bequeathed to humanity profound teachings that can guide our efforts to resolve the severe problems facing today’s world.
我們每年都在衛塞節這一天紀念佛陀的出生、成道和涅磐。佛陀傳授給人類的深遠教義可以指導我們努力解決當今世界面臨的嚴重問題。
His injunction against the three poisons of greed, anger and ignorance is especially relevant to multilateral efforts to overcome the hunger that needlessly affects nearly a billion people in a world of plenty, the brutal violence that takes millions of lives each year, and the senseless environmental damage that humans cause to our only home, the planet Earth.
佛陀要求戒掉貪、嗔、癡三毒，這對於多方努力消除饑餓、殘酷暴力和對環境的破壞尤其具有重大意義，全球有近10億受饑餓影響，每年暴力奪走幾百萬人的生命，而人為因素則使人類自己的家園地球的環境遭到無謂的破壞。
This year’s theme of socio-economic development may sound modern, but its core is the very problem of human suffering that Siddhartha Gautama sought to address more than 2,500 years ago when he left his palace, relinquished his worldly possessions and went out into the world.
今年的主題社會經濟發展聽起來很現代，其實其核心正是2500多年前釋迦牟尼離開宮殿、捨棄身外之物及雲遊世界，力求超度眾生脫離苦海的根本問題。
Numerous Buddhist organizations are putting these teachings into practice. I am deeply grateful for their support for United Nations activities to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, our blueprint for enabling all people to enjoy lives of dignity and opportunity.
無數佛教組織在實踐中領悟這些教誨。我深深感謝它們對聯合國實現千年發展目標的活動的支援，千年發展目標是我們為每個人享有有尊嚴的生活和機會而制定的藍圖。
On this Day of Vesak, let us draw on the universal values of Buddhism to act in solidarity with those who are suffering, thereby contributing to a more compassionate and enlightened world for all.
在衛塞節之日，讓我們憑藉佛教的普世價值，與苦難的人們團結在一起，從而為創造一個人人共用的更富有同情心和更加文明進步的世界作出貢獻。
http://www.un.org/chinese/sg/2011/vesak.shtml
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【2010年聯合國衛塞節主題曲—和平的信息】
【影音1】http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzWeLRQ3eEE
【影音2】http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njo8YCZCegA
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