The Independent

What is Bodhi Day? And when do Buddhists celebrate it?

Source: AP2010

Buddhists around the world are celebrating Bodhi Day.

Also called Buddha’s Enlightenment Day, it commemorates when Siddhartha Gautama attained awakening — or enlightenment — some 2,600 years ago, becoming the Buddha.

When is Bodhi Day celebrated?

Japan celebrates on Dec. 8, following the Western calendar.

It varies elsewhere in , but generally, the holiday falls between the winter solstice and the lunar new year, said , dean of students at Berkeley, California-based Institute of Buddhist Studies.

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