Now that we are in the season of Lent, is there a corresponding Buddhist type of holiday?
While Buddhism doesn’t have a direct equivalent to Easter’s celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, some Buddhists find resonance in the story of Siddhartha Gautama’s enlightenment, which can be seen as a form of “resurrection” to a higher state of being.
Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Buddhists don’t celebrate Easter as a religious festival, as it is rooted in a different religious tradition and story. However, some Buddhists find parallels between the Christian concept of resurrection and the Buddhist concept of enlightenment, or becoming awakened.
The story of Siddhartha Gautama, the man who became the Buddha, can be seen as a form of “resurrection” to a higher state of being.
Siddhartha Gautama, through his practice and enlightenment, transcended his former self and attained a state of enlightenment, which some Buddhists see as a form of resurrection.
Buddhists have their own significant holidays, such as Vesak (Buddha Day), which celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.
Vesak is celebrated on the full moon in May. Regarding an Easter-like vernal equinox type of festival, again, the answer is yes, but it is less widespread.
Check out this video from Buddhist practitioner and teacher Alan Peto where he discusses the interface of the Christian concept of Easter within Buddhist traditions and teachings.
