Huy Hòa
  • Home
  • Code Learn
    • WordPress
    • Woocommerce
    • Joomla
    • PHP
    • SEO – Marketing
  • Vietnam
  • Healthcare
    • Womens Health
  • Beauty
  • Lifehack
  • Free Tools
    • Dog Pregnancy Calculator
    • BMI Calculator
    • Upside Down Text
    • Vietnamese Calendar
    • Vietnamese Typing
  • Contact Us
Trending
  • Tet 2026: Everything You Need to Know About the Vietnamese Lunar New Year
  • PHP Foreach Loop Tutorial: Syntax, Examples, and Best Practices
  • Rash vs. Hives: How to Identify and Treat Them Naturally
  • How to Get Rid of a Pimple Inside Your Nose: A Comprehensive Guide
  • Ear Hygiene: How to Clean Your Ears the Right Way
Tuesday, May 20
Huy Hòa
  • Home
  • Code Learn
    • WordPress
    • Woocommerce
    • Joomla
    • PHP
    • SEO – Marketing
  • Vietnam
  • Healthcare
    • Womens Health
  • Beauty
  • Lifehack
  • Free Tools
    • Dog Pregnancy Calculator
    • BMI Calculator
    • Upside Down Text
    • Vietnamese Calendar
    • Vietnamese Typing
  • Contact Us
Huy Hòa
Home»General»What is the Buddhist calendar?

What is the Buddhist calendar?

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
A close-up photo of a Buddhist calendar
The Buddhist calendar uses its own names for the months instead of numbers.

Until now, most of us are familiar with the lunar and solar calendars, but few are aware of the Buddhist calendar. This article aims to shed light on what the Buddhist calendar is and how it functions.

This article will provide an overview of the Buddhist calendar, including its history and significance. We will explore the unique features of this calendar, such as the names of its months and how it differs from the lunar and solar calendars. Additionally, we will look at the religious holidays that are celebrated within the Buddhist calendar in 2025.

Lastly, we will delve into the calculation methods used in the Buddhist calendar and how leap days are added to ensure the calendar stays in sync with the solar year. Join us on this journey to gain a deeper understanding of the Buddhist calendar and its cultural significance.

Table of Contents

  • 1 What is the Buddhist calendar?
    • 1.1 List of Religious Holidays of Buddhist in 2023
    • 1.2 List of Religious Holidays of Buddhist in 2024
  • 2 How is the Buddhist calendar calculated?

What is the Buddhist calendar?

The Buddhist calendar is a type of calendar predominantly used in mainland Southeast Asia, specifically in countries like Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, among others. It operates as a Yin-Yang calendar with alternating months of 29 and 30 days, including leap days and additional 30-day months at regular intervals.

A beautiful lotus flower with its petals in bloom
The lotus flower symbolizes purity and enlightenment in Buddhist culture

Unlike the lunar and solar calendars, the months in the Buddhist calendar are named after their own titles. These months have Sanskrit names such as Caitra, Vaisakha, Jyestha, Ashadha, Sravan, Bhadrapada, Asvina, Karttika, Margasirsha, Pausha, and Magha.

Moreover, in the old Burmese Buddhist calendar, the months were known as Tagu, Kason, Nayon, Waso, Wagaung, Tawthalin, Thadingyut, Tarzaungmon, Natdaw, Pyadho, Tabodwe, and Tabaung.

The years in the Buddhist calendar alternate between months with 29 and 30 days, with an additional leap day added to the month of Jyestha (Nayon) to make it 30 days. The leap month is calculated by duplicating the month of Ashadha (Waso). Every month features a full moon that lasts 15 days and a crescent moon that lasts for 14 or 15 days.

A group of people gathered for a Vesak celebration
Vesak is one of the most significant religious holidays in the Buddhist calendar.

List of Religious Holidays of Buddhist in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
SaturdaySatJan 07, 2023Jan 07Mahayana New Year
SundaySunJan 22, 2023Jan 22Vietnamese New Year
WednesdayWedFeb 15, 2023Feb 15Nirvana Day
MondayMonMar 06, 2023Mar 06Magha Puja Day
ThursdayThuApr 06, 2023Apr 06Theravada New Year
FridayFriMay 19, 2023May 19Vesak - Buddha Day
MondayMonJul 03, 2023Jul 03Asala - Dharma Day
SundaySunAug 13, 2023Aug 13Obon
FridayFriDec 08, 2023Dec 08Bodhi Day

List of Religious Holidays of Buddhist in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
ThursdayThuJan 25, 2024Jan 25Mahayana New Year
SaturdaySatFeb 10, 2024Feb 10Vietnamese New Year
ThursdayThuFeb 15, 2024Feb 15Nirvana Day
SaturdaySatFeb 24, 2024Feb 24Magha Puja Day
SaturdaySatApr 13, 2024Apr 13Theravada New Year
ThursdayThuMay 23, 2024May 23Vesak - Buddha Day
SundaySunJul 21, 2024Jul 21Asala - Dharma Day
TuesdayTueAug 13, 2024Aug 13Obon
SundaySunDec 08, 2024Dec 08Bodhi Day

How is the Buddhist calendar calculated?

The Buddhist calendar is calculated differently than many people think. It is not based on the date of Buddha’s birth, but on the year he entered Nirvana. The landmark year is 544 BC (Before the Common Era), which is considered year 0 in the Buddhist calendar.

To determine the current year according to the Buddhist calendar, we take the current year according to the Solar calendar plus 544. For example, if the current year is 2025, then this year’s Buddhist calendar will be 2025 + 544 = 2569.

If we want to record the year of Buddha’s birth, we need to add 80 years to the buddha calendar. Thus, the Buddha’s birth year and the Buddhist calendar year 2025 will be calculated as follows:

  • Buddhist calendar year = 2025 + 544 = 2569
  • Year of Buddha’s birth: 2025 + 544 +80 = 2649

Therefore, the Buddhist calendar and Buddha’s Birthday for the year 2025 in the Solar calendar are as follows:

  • Happy Buddhist Calendar Year 2569
  • Happy Buddha’s Birthday 2649

This difference should be noted when recording the Buddha calendar year and the Buddha’s birth year to avoid confusion.

Buddha’s Birthday is one of the three significant holidays in the Buddhist calendar, alongside Vu Lan and Enlightenment. This day commemorates the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni in Lumbini Garden, which is known as Vesak in Pali and Vaisakha in Sanskrit.

Traditionally, East Asian countries celebrated Buddha’s Birthday on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month before 1959. However, at the first World Buddhist Congress in Colombo held from May 25 to June 8, 1950, the 26 member countries agreed that the International Vesak Day would be on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month of the annual calendar.

Since 1999, the United Nations has recognized Vesak Day as a global cultural and spiritual festival.

A Buddhist monk in traditional orange robes meditating in front of a temple
Monks play an important role in Buddhist practices and rituals.

Buddha’s Birthday marks the birth of Prince Siddhartha, who later became Buddha Shakyamuni of the Sakyamuni royal family. He was born in Lumbini Garden, the region between Kapilavastu and Devadaha in Nepal, on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month in 624 B.C. or the fourth day of the lunar calendar (varies depending on each school of Buddhism).

Thus, Buddha’s Birthday is typically celebrated on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month to honor the Buddha’s birth.

References:

4.5/5 - (2 votes)
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleLaugh Out Loud: The Best Funny Questions and Riddles You’ll Ever Read
Next Article Vietnamese Zodiac: 12 Animals, Their Traits, Signs, Meanings & Compatibility
Gia Han
  • Website

Hi, I'm Gia Han. I study pharmacist but currently only do housework and handmade cosmetics. I also have a little knowledge about informatics like Wordpress, Joomla, or SEO, but only at the level of use, I cannot be a teacher. The articles I write are based on my own experience and actual use. There will be errors or not, but if you find any errors, please message me to correct them. Contact me here.

In Case You Missed It

Superworms: The Future of Sustainable Protein for humans?
The Truth About Shungite’s Fullerenes: Are They Really Beneficial for Your Health?
Challenge Yourself with Coconut Worms: Benefits and Negatives Sides You Should Know
Are Cashews Good for You? Check-out 7 Powerful Health Benefits of Cashew Nuts for Men & Women
Bean Sprouts: Nutritional Info, Health Benefits, and How to Make It
Misconceptions About Leather Goods: What You Need to Know
Types of leather
60+ Accepted Answers for the Quiz Test questions

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Search
Trending
Vietnam

Tet 2026: Everything You Need to Know About the Vietnamese Lunar New Year

Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is the most important and widely celebrated holiday in…

PHP Foreach Loop Tutorial: Syntax, Examples, and Best Practices

Rash vs. Hives: How to Identify and Treat Them Naturally

How to Get Rid of a Pimple Inside Your Nose: A Comprehensive Guide

Ear Hygiene: How to Clean Your Ears the Right Way

Triangle Face Shapes Guide: Hairstyles, Glasses & Makeup Tips

Vietnamese New Year Traditions

© 2025 All Rights Reserved  by  HuyHoa.Net. DMCA.com Protection Status .
Hosted by Dreamhost. Follow us on  Google News.
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact Us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.