Buddhist

16 Jan (Fri)	Shinran Memorial Day	Buddhist commemoration of the life of Shinran, founder of Jodo Shin-shu, one of the schools of Pure Land Buddhism.
25 Jan (Sun)	Honen Memorial Day	Buddhist commemoration of the life of Honen, founder of Jodo Shu, one of the schools of Pure Land Buddhism.
25 - 27 Jan (3 days)	Losar	Tibetan New Year festival, often also celebrated in Nepal. Losar is celebrated for 15 days, but it is the first three days that constitute the main celebrations. Although chiefly a secular celebration, Losar includes the rededication of Tibet to Buddhism and also celebrates the miracles performed by Buddha at Sravasti.
8 Feb or 15 Feb	Parinirvana (Nirvana Day)	Buddhist holiday celebrated in East Asia. Some Buddhists celebrate this day on 8th February, but most do so on 15th February. The day celebrates the occasion when Buddha achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body at the age of 80. The day is known as Nirvana Day by Pure Land Buddhists.
11 Mar (Wed)	Magha Puja	An important Buddhist holy day, observed with meditation, chanting and listening to sermons. The day commemorates the occasion when 1,250 enlightened disciples of the Buddha came spontaneously to the Bamboo Grove on the full moon of the month of Magha. Buddha predicted his death and recited a summary of his teachings and a code of discipline which all Buddhist monks are expected to recite fortnightly.
9 May (Sat)	Vesakha Puja/Wesak/Buddha Day	The largest Buddhist festival, during which Theravada Buddhists celebrate the birth, enlightenment and final passing away of Buddha. (Mahayana Buddhists have separate days for each of these). During the festival houses are decorated with lanterns and garlands, and temples are ringed with oil lamps. Particular stress is placed on Buddha's enlightenment and lay people come together at monasteries to celebrate this.
9 May (Sat)	Saga Dawa	Tibetan and Nepalese festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Buddha. During this festival lamps are lit everywhere. In Tibet extended prostrations take place around Buddhist monuments and vows are made to fast and keep silent for seven days.
7 Jun (Tue)	Asalha Puja	Theravada Buddhist festival commemorating the Buddha’s first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares (which taught the Middle Way, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths) and the founding of the Buddhist sangha (temple). The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to sermons.
18 Jul (Sat)	Chokhor	Also known as Cho Kor Du Chen, this Tibetan and Nepalese festival commemorates the first teaching (turning of the wheel of law) given by Buddha. Statues of Buddha and copies of the scriptures, engraved on narrow, rectangular wooden blocks, are carried round with music and jollity, symbolizing the promulgation of the Buddha's teaching. The whole community join in these processions and the picnic that follows.
7 Oct (Wed)	Pavarana	Buddhist holy day celebrated on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month. It marks the end of the month of Vassa (Rains Retreat), sometimes called "Buddhist Lent." On this day monks who have completed the Retreat invite their fellows to admonish them for their failings. Most Mahayana Buddhists do not observe Vassa.
5 Nov (Thu)	Kathina Day	Theravada Buddhist festival. Kathina comes at the end of Vassa, the three-month rainy season retreat for Theravada Buddhists. In order to hold a 'Kathina', a monastery must have had five monks in residence during the retreat period and only those who were present for the entire retreat are eligible to receive the robe cloth offered. It is a time of giving, for the laity to express gratitude to monks. Lay Buddhists bring donations to temples, especially cloth, which is transformed into a Kathina robe by sewing the pieces of cloth together. The robe formed is presented to one particular monk, often an especially deserving or virtuous one, in a special ceremony.
8 Dec (Tue)	Bodhi Day	Mahayana Buddhist festival. Bodhi Day, observed on December 8, or the Sunday immediately preceding this date, commemorates the day, according to the Mahayana tradition, on which Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) was enlightened by the realization of the Four Noble Truths: All beings are subject to suffering. No one escapes... suffering is universal. The cause of suffering is Ignorance. And Ignorance of oneself is the greatest Ignorance.