The birthday of the Buddha is a holy occasion for all his followers, but is celebrated on different dates depending on the school of Buddhism or country to which one belongs. In many parts of Asia, the sacred day marks not just the birth, but also the enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.
Nepalese devotees light butter lamps during Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Purnima festival, to celebrate Buddha’s birthday, in Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Buddhist devotees visit Botataung pagoda during a religious ceremony to mark the Full Moon day of “Kasone,” known as Buddha’s Birthday, Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
A devotee spins a prayers wheel during Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Purnima festival, to celebrate Buddha’s birthday, in Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
South Korean acting President Lee Ju-ho, fourth from left, attends a service to celebrate Buddha’s birthday at the Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Nepalese devotees get their money changed to smaller denominations to offer them as alms to Buddhist monks during Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Purnima festival, to celebrate Buddha’s birthday, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Buddhist monk circumambulates the Boudhanath stupa during Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Purnima festival, to celebrate Buddha’s birthday, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A decorator arranges flowers around the statue of Buddha at a temple on the occasion of Buddha Purnima festival in Kolkata, India, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
Visitors cross Cheonggye stream near the lanterns hanging to celebrate Buddha’s upcoming birthday, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A Buddhist monk pets a stray dog on his lap during Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Purnima festival, to celebrate Buddha’s birthday, in Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Nepalese vendors carry new butter lamps to sell to devotees during Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima festival in Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
