Please note that some of these dates refer to foreign country observances, however, due to the multicultural diversity we share in Queensland, people from those countries may choose to continue to celebrate those festivities, here in their adopted country of Australia.

Please also note that the Buddhist calendar is predominantly based on the lunar cycle and therefore certain dates will change from year to year.  Sometimes, too, by convention, a fixed day may also be identified to commemorate that event.  The dates below, are mainly those of the first full moon in each month, and generally coincide with an important Buddhist date (though at times the event may be tied to a new moon instead).

Also, certain events in Buddhism are celebrated at different times in different countries or traditions – much like some public holidays in Australia vary from state to state.

We hope this calendar will be useful in determining the important dates within Buddhism that may be celebrated in Queensland.

1st Lunar Month :      December 4, 2009  :  December 28, 2010  :  December 10, 2011

No special occasion

2nd Lunar Month :        January 30, 2010  :  January 20, 2011  :  January 9, 2012

No special occasion

            New Moon :     February 14, 2010  :  February 3, 2011  :  January 23, 2012

Chinese New Year – While not a Buddhist anniversary, the legends of how the twelve animals were chosen for the Chinese horoscope suggests that these were the first to respond to the Buddha’s call to for all animals of the world to gather to him, arriving in the order that they appear in the calendar i.e. Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

3rd Lunar Month :       February 28, 2010  :  February 18, 2011  :  February 8, 2012

Tibetan New Year - Losar - Tibetan communities celebrate New Year, known as Losar, on this date. Losar is an occasion to dispel the obstacles and negativities of the old year and is marked with activities that symbolise purification.

Nirvana Day – Parinirvana Day - This day is an observance of the death of the Buddha (Mahayana tradition).

Fixed Date :    March 21, 2010  :  March 21, 2011  :  March 21, 2012

Harmony Day – celebrates Australia's diversity. It's about community participation, inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Schools, community groups and organisations across Australia host Harmony Day events.

4th Lunar Month :        March 30, 2010  :  March 20, 2011  :  March 8, 2012

Magha Puja – Also known as Sangha Day, this day celebrates the community of followers of the teachings of Buddha (Theravada tradition).

Fixed Date :    April 8, 2010  :  April 8, 2011  :  April 8, 2012

Buddha’s Birthday (Zen) – Hanamatsuri - Japan

Fixed Date :    April 13, 2010  :  April 13, 2011  :  April 13, 2012

Songkran, the Thai New Year and Water Festival, is one of Thailand's oldest and favourite festivals. A major element is the ritual bathing of Buddha statues and shrines. This event often overlaps western Easter commemorations.

5th Lunar Month :        April 28, 2010  :  April 18, 2011  :  April 7, 2012

 Theravada New Year –  The Buddhist New Year is celebrated on different days around the world and in Australia, depending on country of origin or ethnic background of Buddhist communities. In the Theravada tradition, followed for example in Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos, Buddhist New Year is celebrated around this day.

Fixed Date :    May 1, 2010  :  April 30, 2011  :  May 5, 2012

Buddha Birthday Weekend – Brisbane celebrates the Buddha’s birthday each year at Southbank thanks to the BLIA organization, spanning the Labour Day weekend.  

6th Lunar Month :        May 28, 2010  :  May 17, 2011  :  May 6, 2012

Buddha Day - Vesak Day - Vesak is the major Buddhist festival of the year and celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. Also called Saka Dawa (Tibetan)

7th Lunar Month :        June 26, 2010  :  June 16, 2011  :  June 4, 2012

Poson Day - Celebrates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. The annual Poson festival is an ancient celebration which commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the third century BC. It was spread by the arrival of Arahat Maha Mahinda (son of King Asoka of India) who appeared before the Sri Lankan King at Mihintale. Poson is characterised by day-long processions and ceremonies at Mihintale which is now the site of a great Buddhist temple at Ambasthale Dagoba.

         New Moon :     July 12, 2010  :  July 1, 2011  :  June 18, 2012

 Ulambana (Obon) – Japan - Festival of the Hungry Ghosts (Mahayana tradition). On this day Buddhists visit cemeteries to make offerings to departed ancestors. Obon celebrates the reunion of family ancestors with the living. Obon is also celebrated at other dates in other Asian countries.

8th Lunar Month :        July 26, 2010  :  July 15, 2011  :  July 4, 2012

Asalha Puja (Dhamma) Day –This Theravada Buddhist date commemorates the first sermon, "The Wheel of Truth", delivered by the Buddha after his enlightenment.

Vassa (Theravada): The Rains Retreat observance of a three month retreat during the Asian rainy season.

The focus of celebration by the laity is the first day of Vassa (or Wan Kao Pansa - Lao) during which worshippers donate candles and other necessities to temples, in a ceremony which has reached its most extravagant form in the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival. Vassa is followed by two of the major festivals of the year among Theravada Buddhists, Wan Awk Pansa and Kathina. The end of vassa is marked by joyous celebration. The following month, the Kathina ceremony is held, during which the laity gathers to make formal offerings of robe cloth and other requisites to the Sangha.

9th Lunar Month :        August 25, 2010  :  August 14, 2011  :  August 2, 2012

No special occasion

10th Lunar Month :        September 23, 2010  :  September 12, 2011  :  August 31, 2012

No special occasion

11th Lunar Month :      October 23, 2010  :  October 12, 2011  :  September 30, 2012

Pavarana Day - Wan Awk Pansa  - Kathina (Robe Offering) Ceremony – Theravada - This marks the end of the three-month Vassa-retreat. In the following month, lay people may offer the Kathina-robe as part of a general alms-giving ceremony.  Thais believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respects to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.

12th Lunar Month :      November 22, 2010  :  November 11, 2011  :  October 30, 2012

No special occasion

            New Moon :     December 6, 2010  :  November 25, 2011  :  December 14, 2012

Bodhi Day  (Rohatsu) – Japanese Zen Buddhism. On Bodhi day some Buddhists celebrate Gautama's attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, India.