Vesak Day 2026: Celebrating Peace, Compassion, and Harmony in Diversity

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – On May 31, 2026 Buddhists around the world celebrated the sacred Vesak Day. Vesak commemorates the three important events in the life of the Buddha — his birth, enlightenment, and passing into Parinibbāna.

Beyond rituals and prayers, Vesak also carries a deeper message about human transformation, compassion, and peaceful coexistence. On VOI Talk with RRI Voice of Indonesia broadcast on Sunday, May 31, Rector of Sriwijaya State Buddhist College of Tangerang Banten, Indonesia and the Chairman of Indonesian Buddhist Higher Education Institution, Edi Ramawijaya Putra, explained that Vesak is not only about religious ceremonies.

“Vesak is not only about peace, but also about cultivating individuals regardless of their nationalities, religious backgrounds, ethnicities, and other differences,” he said.

According to him, the sacred day reminds people that every human being has the potential to overcome suffering and contribute to a more harmonious world. The celebration encourages people to develop inner peace while building mutual understanding with others.

Indonesia itself has a unique way of celebrating Vesak. Indonesia combines religious observances, cultural traditions, and social activities.

One of the distinctive traditions in Indonesia is the practice of “Atthasila” or the Eight Precepts. Before Vesak many Indonesian Buddhists voluntarily trained themselves to follow the Eight Precepts as a form of spiritual discipline and self-purification.

Another important symbol of Vesak in Indonesia is Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist temple. Borobudur has become the center of Vesak celebrations.

The temple located in Magelang regency, Central Java attracts not only Buddhists, but also people from different religious and cultural backgrounds around the world. According to him, Borobudur symbolizes the journey from ignorance to enlightenment.

Its reliefs contain profound philosophical teachings that inspire wisdom, peace, and compassion. Visitors from various backgrounds come not only to learn about Buddhism, but also to seek inspiration, peace, and contemplation.

Borobudur Temple also served as the destination for the "Indonesia Walk for Peace 2026" Thudong pilgrimage. It is a-666 km journey starting from Bali on May 9 and arriving on May 28 to mark the Vesak celebration.

This annual spiritual walk brought Buddhist monks from various countries to the historic site. Edi highlighted that Buddhist monks participating in the peace journey across Indonesia were warmly welcomed not only by Buddhist communities, but also by Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Catholics, and many other groups.

“This illustrates the real Indonesia, the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), where peace is built through mutual respect and shared humanity,” he conveyed.

The 2026 Vesak celebration also included candlelight ceremonies, lantern festivals, meditation gatherings, and interfaith activities attended by communities from different religions and backgrounds. These events demonstrate how Vesak in Indonesia promotes tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Through the spirit of Vesak Day 2026, the message remains clear: despite differences in religion, ethnicity, nationality, and culture, humanity can still live together in peace, compassion, and coexistence.