![Vesak-Day-22](https://www.sheppadviser.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Vesak-Day-22-696x464.jpg)
By Aaron Cordy
BUDDHISTS around the world are preparing for the Vesak Day Celebrations, which will take place on Thursday, May 23. Vesak, otherwise, known as Buddha Day is traditionally observed by Buddhists from South and Southeast Asia, Tibet and Mongolia, and is celebrated by millions of Buddhists around the world.
The festival commemorates the birth of enlightenment and the passing of Gautama Buddha, commonly known as ‘The Buddha,’ the religious teacher who founded Buddhism in the fifth or sixth century. Buddhism is considered the world’s fourth-largest religion and teaches detachment and non-harming through meditation to reach enlightenment.
![](https://www.sheppadviser.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Vesak-Day-22.jpg)
According to the 2021 census report, there were 674 Buddhist in the Greater Shepparton region, 1 per cent of the population. This was up from 496 in 2016.
To celebrate Vesak Day, the Buddhist Association of the Goulburn Valley are holding an event on the full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha, otherwise known as Saturday, May 18, at the Queens Gardens in Shepparton, from 4pm to 6pm.
This year will be the ninth year Vesak Day is celebrated in Shepparton, and the Buddhist Association of the Goulburn Valley are inviting everyone to come along and join in their most important Buddhist festival with them.
For more information about the Vesak Day event call Sam on (03) 5831 2395.