Wesak

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Theravada Buddhist festival celebrating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing into nirvana, all of which happened on the same day in different years. It falls in April/May at the full moon. Celebrations vary from country to country. In Sri Lanka, candles are lit to symbolize the Buddha's enlightenment. In Burma, the bodhi tree is watered. In Thailand, both lay and ordained Buddhists walk three times round the temple holding lighted candles, to symbolize the Three Refuges. Buddhists may choose to go on pilgrimages at this time and people send cards to one another.

The maple leaf is a traditional Canadian emblem. Red recalls Canadian lives lost during World War I. White stands for snow. Effective date: 15 February 1965. >>