Category: Festival

  • White House Celebrates Buddhist Vesak with Lighting of Candles for the First Time in American History

    White House Celebrates Buddhist Vesak with Lighting of Candles for the First Time in American History

    • (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)

    For the first time in US history, the celebration of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha (Vesak), was held in the White House today. In honor of Vesak, an official statement from the White House has been announced by our President Biden:

    Jill and I extend our warmest wishes to Buddhists in the United States and around the world as they celebrate Vesak, a day honoring the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. The ceremonial lighting of a lamp, the symbol of this holiday that has been celebrated for over 2,500 years, reminds us of Buddhism’s teachings of compassion, humility, and selflessness that endure today. On this day, we also commemorate the many contributions of Buddhists in America who enrich our communities and our country as we all work together toward brighter days ahead.

    We are pleased the White House has celebrated Vesak for the first time ever with the Second Gentleman, Mr. Douglas Emhoff, lighting a candle in the White House in the presence of three Venerables representing Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.

    The event was coordinated by Wangmo Dixey, President of the International Buddhist Association of America through the good offices of Mr. Shekar Narasimhan, President of the Dharma Into Action Foundation. Lamps were lit and prayers offered by the Most Venerable Uparatana (Sri Lankan/American) on behalf of the Theravada tradition; Rev. Marvin Harada (Japanese/ American) on behalf of the Mahayana tradition and Venerable Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche (Tibetan/American) on behalf of the Vajrayana tradition.

    Mrs Dixey said, “It is wonderful that prayers were offered from all three great traditions of Buddhist practice here, at the heart of American democracy. It is so auspicious that this should happen on this day of celebration of the life and teachings of the Buddha. May the prayers we offer today bring peace and healing to all peoples, particularly to our brothers and sisters in India, the heartland of the Dharma, and may the light that radiates from here, the White House of America, bring wisdom and harmony to the whole world. We are lighting a million lamps today to honor this historical moment in our Buddhist history in America.”

    For more information, please contact Wangmo Dixey at 510 847 2966 at wdixey@dharma-college.com or Stefan Kuhn at 970-376-4204.

    Please note that these official White House photographs are being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photographs may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House. We also ask that there is photo credit of (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith).

  • VESAK 2021 Media Kit

    VESAK 2021 Media Kit

    What is Vesak?

    Vesak is the most important holy day of the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the day of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away. While the name and date vary somewhat in Buddhist countries according to national customs, it is generally observed on the full moon day in May. In 1999, Vesak received official recognition from the United Nations as a major world religious holiday.

    How many Buddhists are there in the United States?

    According to a study by the Pew Research Center, Religious Composition by Country, 2010-2050, there are more than 3.5 million Buddhists in the U.S., making it the third largest religion in the country. The majority of American Buddhists are Asian Americans, but there are Buddhists in the United States from every ethnic and cultural background. In addition to those who consider themselves Buddhist, Buddhism has significantly influenced the lives of countless other Americans culturally, intellectually, and spiritually.

    Media Kit

  • Lotus and Water Lily Festival

    Lotus and Water Lily Festival

    Lotus and Water Lily Festival
    at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, Washington DC,
    on 7/21/2018

  • Vesak Day Chanting at Sackler Gallery

    Vesak Day Chanting at Sackler Gallery

    Vesak Day Buddhist Chanting Showcase
    at Smithsonian Sackler Gallery, Washington DC, on 5/19/2018