When is Vesak Day in 2024?
The Vesak Day is observed annually on the full moon day or 15th day in the 4th month of Lunar Calendar in Singapore. This year, it falls on a Wednesday, 22 May 2024.
Vesak Day is also known as Wesak Day, Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti. It is designated as an official public holiday and is widely celebrated in Singapore. Learn how this significant Buddhist festival is celebrated in Singapore.
Things to do during Vesak Day 2024 in Singapore
Vesak Day holds deep significance as it commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Gautama Buddha, the revered founder of Buddhism.
While the specific customs and practices may vary across countries, local communities, and individual preferences, this guide serves as a valuable resource for both religious participants and the general audience in Singapore, shedding light on the essence of this auspicious occasion.
Visit a Buddhist temple for praying and Buddha Bathing
In Singapore, the observance of Vesak Day draws locals to Buddhist temples, creating a vibrant atmosphere akin to the Lunar New Year season.
During this auspicious time, temples organize a multitude of activities and ceremonies to engage the community. These includes the 3-Step 1-Bow Ceremony (三步一拜), Light Transference (传灯), Bathing of Prince Siddhartha (浴佛), Lotus Lamp Offering (点莲花灯), chanting sessions, vegetarian food fairs, charity fairs, and various other events that foster a sense of community and spiritual connection.
It is important to note that not all temples in Singapore are Buddhist temples. Here are the major Buddhist temples and events you can visit to celebrate Vesak Day:
Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery 光明山普觉禅寺
- Address: 88 Bright Hill Road, Singapore 574117 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (TE7) Bright Hill
- Activities: 3-Step 1-Bow ceremony, buddha bathing, light transference, thousand buddhas repentance puja, lotus lamp offering, Vesak auspicious lantern, vegetarian food fair & charity booth, family bonding (sutra writing, balloon art, yoga)
- Note: Selected activities start from 15 May 2024 (Wednesday).
- Read More
- Address: 288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (TE18) Maxwell
- Activities: Vesak day prayers 金刚法会
- Notes:
- The Vesak Day Celebrations will be held for three days from 22 to 24 May 2024 (Wednesday – Friday), 9am to 4pm. Click here to register.
- Light offering and buddha bathing ceremony will take place on 14 May 2024 (Tuesday), 7:30pm – 8:30pm.
Siong Lim Temple (Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery) 连山双林禅寺
- Address: 184 Jalan Toa Payoh, Singapore 319944 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS19) Toa Payoh
- Activities: Vesak day prayers, prince Siddhartha / buddha bathing
- Notes:
- Vesak Day event will be held from 9:30am – 12:00pm at Guan Yin Dian 观音殿
- Additional session of Buddha bathing and offerings will also take place on 15 May 2024 (Wedneday), 9:30am.
Fu Hui Buddhist Cultural Centre 福慧佛教文化中心
- Address: 105 Punggol Road, Singapore 546636 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NE15) Buangkok
- Activities: Purification showering of buddha figurine / buddha bathing, Vesak blessings & grand dharma assembly, vegetarian lunch
- Notes:
- “3 Step 1 Bow Peace Homage” will be held from 6pm to 9pm on 19 May 2024 (Sunday).
- “Candlelight Procession” will take place from 6pm to 9pm on 18 May 2024 (Saturday).
The Singapore Buddhist Lodge 新加坡佛教居士林
- Address: 17-19 Kim Yam Road, Singapore 239329 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT20) Fort Canning
- Activities: Vesak ceremony & offering to buddha 卫塞节传供仪式
- Note: Bathing baby prince Siddhartha ceremony, receiving of threefold refuge & five precepts and Vesak light transference ceremony will be held before Vesak day, starting from 15 May 2024 (Wednesday).
Fo Guang Shan 新加坡佛光山
- Address: 1 Punggol Place, Level 3, Singapore 828844 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NE17) Punggol
- Activities: Welcome Prince Siddhartha 迎太子, chanting & offering to lord buddha 诵经祈福 / 上佛供, offering & light offering 献供及献灯, bathing the buddha, vegetarian food fair
- Note: Selected activities start from 18 May 2024 (Saturday).
Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC) – Vesak Day 2024 Celebration
- Venue: Open space beside Aljunied MRT station [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW9) Aljunied
- Activities: Talks, bath offering ceremony, blessing rituals, free vegetarian lunch, colouring contests, choir performance, light offering
- Note: The event lasts for 4 days starting from 19 May 2024 (Sunday) until Vesak day, 22 May 2024 (Wednesday).
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Singapore Buddhist Mission (SBM) 新加坡佛教传道会
- Address: 9 Ruby Lane, Singapore 328284 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NE10) Potong Pasir
- Activities: Recitation of Jayamangala Gatha (Chant), 28 Buddhas Puja, Bathing of the Prince Siddhartha, Dhamma talk, alms giving, vegetarian lunch, blessing service, recitation of 9 great virtues of the Buddha (Chant)
- Notes:
- Vesak day programme starts at 9:00am and ends at 3:00pm.
- This is not a temple but an organisation to propagate Buddhism.
Thekchen Choling Singapore 新加坡大乘禅寺
- Address: 2 Beatty Lane, Singapore 209945 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT23) Bendemeer
- Activities: Unveiling of wish-fulfilling Thangka 如意大唐卡揭幕典礼, Vesak family carnival (game booths & carnival rides) 卫塞家庭嘉年华, merit making activities 献供积福, refuge ceremony & teaching 皈依仪式与佛法讲座
- Notes:
- This is a Tibetan buddhist temple. Registration is required for selected activities.
- Other celebratory activities including prayers / puja, animal blessing night start from 4 May 2024 (Sunday).
- Address: 366 Race Course Road, Singapore 218638 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NE8) Farrer Park
- Activities: Incense offering, holy water blessing by Thai monks, thousand lights blessings, bathing of baby buddha, worshipping 7-day buddha, flower water, traditional Thai dance
- Notes:
- This is a Thai buddhist temple.
- Vesak Day activities will start from 7:00am and last until 5:00pm.
Ubin Thai Buddhist Temple 乌敏泰佛寺
- Address: 72 Sengkang West Ave, Singapore 797652 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NE16) Sengkang
- Nearest LRT station: (SW5) Fernvale (650m or 9-minute walk)
- Activities: Lotus flower chanting 莲花绕佛诵经祈福, donations ceremony 庆祝仪式, lion dance, community lunch for seniors
- Notes:
- This is a Thai Buddhist temple.
- The donation ceremony & community lunch on Vesak Day starts from 10:00am.
- Evening prayers and chants will be held from 7:00pm every evening between 18 and 22 May 2024 (Saturday – Wednesday). Additional chants will be conducted at 9:30am and 3:00pm on 18 & 19 May 2024 (Saturday & Sunday).
Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple 护国金塔寺
- Address: 83 Tampines Link, Singapore 528740 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT32/EW2) Tampines (2.7km or 37-minute walk)
- Activities: Vesak day ceremony / prayer 释迦佛诞法会
- Notes:
- The ceremony on Vesak Day is held from 8:00am – 12:30pm only.
- Light offering and buddha bathing is available on 13 May 2024 (Monday), 7:30pm – 9:30pm.
Pu Ji Si Buddhist Research Centre 普济寺佛学研究会
- Address: 39 Geylang Lorong 12, Singapore 399012 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW9) Aljunied (1.1km or 16-minute walk)
- Activities: Bathing the Buddha, Vesak Blessing Service and Celebration
- Notes:
- Vesak Day celebrations starts from 10:00am and ends at 1:00pm.
- Buddha bathing is available from 19 – 22 May 2024 (Sunday – Wednesday), 9:00am – 4:00pm.
- 3 Steps 1 Bow & Transference of Wisdom Lamps will be held on 19 May 2024 (Sunday), 2pm – 5pm. Registration is required and there is a fee of S$15 per person.
Hai Inn Temple 海印古寺
- Address: 33 Brickland Road, Singapore 688254 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS4/BP1) Choa Chu Kang (1.6km or 23-minute walk)
- Activities: Bathing of Prince Siddhartha, offerings, prayers
- Notes:
- “3 Step 1 Bow 三步一拜” ceremony will be held on 11 May 2024 (Saturday), 6:00pm
- “Light transference 传灯” ceremony will take place on 21 May 2024 (Tuesday), 7:30pm.
Engage in acts of kindness
Buddhism, with its emphasis on kindness and compassion, offers a wonderful opportunity to engage in volunteering and social work, allowing you to embody these teachings in practical ways.
To begin your volunteering journey, start by identifying the causes and areas of interest that resonate with you. In Singapore, common causes include animal welfare, children, the elderly, nature conservation, and supporting individuals with special needs. By aligning your volunteering efforts with your passions, you can contribute in a more meaningful and fulfilling manner.
To explore volunteering opportunities in Singapore, you can utilize the platform volunteer.gov.sg, which is provided by the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth. This platform offers a comprehensive list of volunteering opportunities across the island. It allows you to filter based on causes, required skills, and available dates, making it easier for you to find volunteer work that matches your interests and availability.
Make small donations
Initiating your philanthropic journey with small donations can have a profound impact, fostering the development of a giving habit that nurtures qualities of responsibility, compassion, and generosity within you.
This practice becomes even more significant when done in commemoration of Vesak Day, a celebration that embodies the spirit of compassion and altruism.
To make your donation more accessible, there are various avenues you can explore. When you visit a temple during Vesak Day, you can seize the opportunity to contribute directly to their charitable initiatives. Additionally, you can leverage online platforms like giving.sg to donate at any time, allowing you to support a diverse range of causes and organizations that resonate with your values.
Remember that the act of giving, regardless of the amount, carries profound meaning.
Observe vegetarian diet
During Buddhist festivals and events, particularly Vesak Day, it is a common practice in Singapore to embrace a vegetarian diet as a way to demonstrate non-violence and compassion towards all living beings.
Vesak Day provides a meaningful opportunity to extend our commitment to non-violence and avoid causing harm to animals and insects. One way to do this is by refraining from consuming meat and animal products during this auspicious occasion. By consciously choosing a vegetarian diet, we contribute to the spirit of compassion and promote ethical choices.
In Singapore, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the abundance of vegetarian and vegan food options available. Specifically, the Bugis and Chinatown areas are renowned for their wide selection of vegetarian restaurants and food stalls. These areas are prime spots for exploring and indulging in delicious plant-based cuisine that caters to various tastes and preferences.
