A Buddhism week will be held between May 24 and 28 to mark Visakha Puja, which is recognized as the holiest day of the year for Buddhists everywhere. On this occasion, the Government has called on Buddhist Thais to join various religious activities as a tribute to His Majesty the King.

       The Day of Vesak, or Visakha Puja, falls on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month, coinciding with May 28 this year. It commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of enlightenment, and his passing away. An extraordinary aspect of the occasion is that the three incidents took place on the same day but different years.

        The Office of National Buddhism serves as a core agency in organizing activities in celebration of the 2010 Buddhism week, which will be held both in Bangkok and the provinces. In Bangkok, Sanam Luang ceremonial site will be the focal point, with several activities, such as merit-making, sermons, a wian thian, or candle procession, ceremony, and exhibitions. Children and youth have been urged to join a contest of prayers, Dhamma quizzes, and story telling there.

         Wat Sa Ket and and Wat Yan Nawa in Bangkok and Buddhamonthon in Nakhon Pathom will also organize special activities to celebrate Visakha Puja. The Religious Affairs Department has published 50,000 Visakha Puja cards and 25,000 books on Buddhist methods to solve human problems for distribution to visitors to the Buddhism week.

        The United Nations General Assembly at its 79th plenary meeting in late 1999 adopted the resolution for international recognition of the Day of Vesak. The resolution recognizes that the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May each year is the day most sacred to Buddhists. The international recognition of Visakha Puja also acknowledges the contribution that Buddhism has made for over 2,500 years. The Day of Vesak is now observed as an international event.
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