47Cambodia is one of the countries where the majority of the population practices Buddhism, particularly the Theravada tradition (the original teachings). According to the Pew Research Center, about 96% of Cambodians practice Buddhism daily, making it the country with the largest Buddhist population in Southeast Asia.
The influence of Buddhism teachings is not only seen in its religious practices, but is also strongly reflected in the culture, tradition and social structures. For that reason, the Vesak Holiday has become an important occasion that is widely celebrated. Curious about how Cambodian people celebrate Vesak Day? Find out more about it below!
Vesak Day or Buddha Day, is an important celebration for Buddhists, that marks three sacred events: the birth of Sidharta Gautama, his attainment of enlightenment and his passing. Sidharta Gautama was a prince who detached from all worldly pleasures to seek the true meaning of life. After six years of meditation and comprehending human suffering, he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha.
From this experience, The Noble Eightfold Path's teachings were born, emphasizing living with ethics, wisdom and meditation. These teachings encompass honesty, not harming oneself or others, self-control, mindfulness and the right purpose of life.
Vesak Day is celebrated each year and has become an important occasion for Buddhists all over the world. This year, Vesak Day falls on May 12, 2025. The celebration date is not always the same each year because it follows the lunar calendar, occurring during the full moon at the beginning of May or June.
The celebration is usually held for a week, with various religious activities and sacred rituals. In Cambodia, Vesak Day is known as 'Visak Bochea.'
In Cambodia, Vesak Day is designated as a national holiday and is celebrated with various traditions. One of the unique traditions is the hoisting of the Buddhist flag atop temples, accompanied by a procession of monks carrying lotus flowers, incense and candles. Locals can witness the procession and also take part by offering the monks food, flowers or other symbolic items.
One of the most important Vesak celebrations is bathing the Buddha statue. In this ceremony, holy water is poured over the head or shoulders of the Buddha statue as a symbol of cleansing oneself from hatred, greed and ignorance.
In addition to making offerings to Buddha statues, the community is encouraged to spread kindness and share gifts with others. The tradition of releasing paper lanterns into the sky and setting birds free from their cages is also part of the celebration, symbolizing liberation from life's burden and hope for peace and happiness for all beings.
Vesak Day highlights the big themes of kindness, compassion and self-awareness. This celebration isn't just a spiritual moment; it's also a time for reflection on living a more meaningful and peaceful life. If you're planning to join the Vesak Day celebration, especially in Cambodia, it's important to understand the values upheld during this celebration. Here are a few things to avoid during the Vesak celebration:
Stealing or taking something that doesn't belong to you
Lying or spreading misleading information
Consuming alcohol or intoxicating substances
Behaving inappropriately or disrespectfully
Getting into fights, being aggressive or causing disturbances
You are encouraged to remain calm, show respect to others and follow the ceremony in an orderly manner. You can also take part by sharing kindness through simple offerings, meditation or prayer, as a form of respect and spiritual reflection.
That's a glimpse of how Buddhists in Cambodia celebrate Vesak Day. As the country with the largest Buddhist population in Southeast Asia, Cambodia has become a favorite destination for travelers who wish to experience the sacred and culturally rich atmosphere of Vesak Day.
Thinking about witnessing Vesak Day celebrations in Cambodia up close? Don't forget to plan your trip carefully. Make sure that you are protected for the whole journey with Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia, so that your spiritual and cultural trip remains safe and comfortable.
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