The Sangha and Festivals
The Three Jewels
When Buddhists convert or reaffirm their commitment to their tradition, they recite the Three Refuges: “I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dhamma, I take refuge in the Sangha.” These three — the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha — are known collectively as the Three Jewels (Tiratana). Each represents an indispensable element: the Buddha is the teacher who discovered the path; the Dhamma is the truth he taught; and the Sangha is the community that preserves and practises those teachings. Without all three, the Buddhist path cannot function.
The Monastic Sangha
The monastic sangha consists of fully ordained monks (bhikkhus) and nuns (bhikkhunis). Monks and nuns take the Ten Precepts, which are a stricter set of ethical rules than the Five Precepts observed by lay Buddhists. The Ten Precepts include the Five Precepts plus additional rules: not eating after midday, not attending entertainment, not using garlands or perfumes, not using a high bed, and not handling money. Monastics depend on the lay community for food, offered each morning on the alms round. In return, they preserve the Dhamma through study, teaching and practice.
The Ten Precepts observed by Buddhist monks and nuns include the Five Precepts (not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not lying, not taking intoxicants) plus five additional rules, including not eating after midday, not attending entertainment and not handling money. This stricter code enables full-time devoted practice.
Ordination of Women
The ordination of women into the full bhikkhuni (nun) sangha has a complex history. According to tradition, the Buddha’s stepmother Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained, after persistent requests. However, the bhikkhuni lineage died out in Theravada communities and was not revived for many centuries. Today, the issue of full ordination for women remains contested: in some Theravada countries (notably Thailand and Burma), full ordination for women is not officially permitted by the monks’ sangha. In Mahayana traditions, full ordination for women has been maintained. The Dhammapada 360–369 praises the qualities of a well-restrained monastic, regardless of gender, and contemporary advocates for women’s ordination appeal to the Buddha’s original decision to ordain Mahapajapati Gotami.
The Lay Sangha
The lay sangha comprises all Buddhists who have not taken full monastic ordination. Lay Buddhists observe the Five Precepts, support the monastic community through dana (giving), attend temple on Uposatha days, perform puja at home shrines and study the Dhamma. The relationship between monks/nuns and lay Buddhists is one of mutual support: monastics provide teaching and spiritual merit; lay people provide material support. This interdependence has sustained Buddhism across many countries for over 2,500 years.
The monastic code (Vinaya) contains detailed rules governing every aspect of monastic life — from how robes are worn to how disputes within the community are resolved. Monks and nuns live according to these rules in a vihara or gompa. Daily life typically includes early morning meditation, the alms round (in Theravada countries), communal chanting, study of the Dhamma and evening meditation. Monasteries serve the surrounding lay community as centres of teaching, ceremony and social support.
Major Buddhist Festivals
Buddhist festivals mark key events in the Buddha’s life and the rhythms of the monastic calendar. Their observance varies significantly between Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions.
Wesak (also called Vaisakha or Vesak) is the most widely celebrated Buddhist festival. In Theravada Buddhism, it falls on the full moon of the lunar month of Vesakha and commemorates three key events in the Buddha’s life: his birth, his enlightenment and his Parinibbana (final passing). In Mahayana traditions, especially in Japan, these events are celebrated separately. The birth of the Buddha is celebrated as Hanamatsuri (the Flower Festival) on 8 April, when a statue of the baby Buddha is bathed in sweet tea to recall the legend that the gods showered him with flower petals at birth.
Vassa (the Rain Retreat) is a Theravada festival running for approximately three months during the monsoon season. During Vassa, monks must remain within their monastery, using the time for intensive meditation and study. Lay Buddhists support the monastery with additional offerings and often take on additional precepts during this period. Vassa ends with the festival of Kathina, when lay people offer robes and supplies to the monastic community.
Uposatha Days occur four times a month in Theravada Buddhism, aligned with the phases of the moon. On Uposatha days, lay Buddhists visit the temple, observe eight precepts rather than five, listen to Dhamma teachings and meditate with the monastic community. These days function as regular “Sabbath-style” occasions for deepened practice.
Parinirvana Day is observed in Mahayana Buddhist traditions on 15 February. It commemorates the death (final Parinirvana) of the Buddha at the age of 80, after which he entered the state of complete nirvana, beyond all rebirth. Buddhists reflect on their own impermanence and the importance of practising the Dhamma while they still can.
Lama Tsong Khapa Day (Ganden Ngamchoe) is a Tibetan Buddhist festival commemorating Lama Tsong Khapa (1357–1419 CE), the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, which includes the Dalai Lamas. It is celebrated on the 25th day of the 10th Tibetan month by lighting butter lamps and offering prayers. This festival illustrates an important principle: Buddhist festivals are not limited to events in the life of the historical Buddha, but may honour great teachers and bodhisattvas within a particular tradition. The influence of local culture is strong — Tibetan Buddhism’s festival calendar reflects indigenous Himalayan customs alongside Buddhist doctrine.