On Sunday, May 7th, 2023, Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in La Puente, California, held the Vesak celebrations, also known as the festival of light. Each year, on the full moon of the month of Vesak, usually falling in May, millions of Buddhists worldwide take part in Vesak Day celebrations.

“Vesak” is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists worldwide. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C., that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and on the Day of Vesak, the Buddha in his eightieth year, passed away.

While commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Gautama Buddha, the Vesak program was held throughout the day at the Lankaramaya temple. Many activities were conducted, including Buddha puja, dhamma talks, devotional songs, almsgiving, and lighting of Vesak lanterns and tiny clay coconut oil lamps were also lit across the temple.

A large crowd from many cities in California observed the religious ceremony and joined the festivities.