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Buddhists/Date of Buddha's Death

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Expert: - 8/21/2007


Question
Dear Sir,
I happened to learn that the exact date of Buddha's death is not known even though we commemorate it on a certain fixed date of the year. Why is there a debate on this one? Is it because people in the past were not that intelligent to keep track of events and modern scientists are more advanced?

I want to know the date that is mostly accepted and any shortcomings of the scientific researches performed on this, if any.

Thanks in advance

Answer
Hi Chaminda,

Thank you for asking me.

The day is called "Wesak Day" or "Buddha Day".  It is the thrice sacred day of the birth, enlightenment and passing away (parinibbana) of the Buddha.  At the sixth World Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) held in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia, in 1961, the conference resolved:
"That the first full moon day of May be recognized as the 'Buddha Day' and celebrated accordingly."  The month of May corresponds with the month of Visaka of the Indian calender.  It was in the full moon day of Visaka that the thrise blessed events took place.

Smile from justinchoo :-)

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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