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Notes on Buddhist calendar and festival dates
Most Buddhists, with the exception of Japanese Buddhist, use the Lunar Calendar.
The dates of Buddhist festivals vary from country to country and between Buddhist traditions. Various traditions of Buddhism observe festivals which may be unique to them.
The Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese Buddhist celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst Tibetan Buddhists usually celebrate about one month later. People from Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia celebrate the New Year for three days in the middle of April.
There are different Buddhist traditions practised in the West and around the world including:
- Theravada Buddhism, the school of Buddhism found in Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar & in part, Indonesia, Vietnam & Malaysia.
- Mahayana Buddhism, the school of Buddhism found in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
- Vajrayana Buddhism, the school of Buddhism found in Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Mongolia.
- Jodo Shin Buddhism or Pure Land Buddhism mainly from India, Japan
- Zen Buddhism
Notes on Chinese festival dates
Chinese festivals involving the full moon are always considered to fall on the 15th of the month, even if the full moon is actually on the 14th or the 16th of the month
Notes on Hindu festival dates
Some dates are approximate (the date may vary by a day either side of the date stated) & will be determined in most cases by the sighting of the moon & the traditions of the community.
Notes on Jewish festival dates
Some dates are approximate (the date may vary by a day either side of the date stated) & will be determined in most cases by the sighting of the moon & the traditions of the community.
Notes on Sikh calendar dates
Part of the Sikh community follows a lunar calendar (Vikrami or Bikrami), as used in determining Hindu dates in India, while other Sikhs use the solar calendar (Nanakshahi), ensuring they fall on the same date each year.
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