What is Bodhi Day? And when is it celebrated?

Buddhists around the world are celebrating Bodhi Day.

Also called Buddha's Enlightenment Day, it commemorates when Siddhartha Gautama attained awakening — or enlightenment — some 2,600 years ago, becoming the Buddha.

When is Bodhi Day celebrated?

Japan celebrates on Dec. 8, following the Western calendar.

It varies elsewhere in East Asia, but generally, the holiday falls between the winter solstice and the lunar new year, said Scott Mitchell, dean of students at Berkeley, California-based Institute of Buddhist Studies.

Southeast Asian and Tibetan Buddhists celebrate Buddha's enlightenment in May and June respectively, said Judith SimmerBrown, professor emeritus of contemplative and religious studies at Colorado's Naropa University.

How did Siddhartha Gautama achieve enlightenment?

It happened after years of spiritual seeking and meditation, including gaining insights into the ultimate nature of existence: “In particular, the origins of human suffering, the cycle of birth and death (samsara), and the path to liberation (nirvana),” Manuel Lopez, a professor of Buddhist Studies and Religion at New College of Florida, said via email.

Buddhism is regarded as the world's fourth-largest religion after Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Most Buddhists live in the Asia-Pacific region.

Which Buddhist traditions observe Bodhi Day?

Not all Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day. It is most common in East Asia's Buddhist Mahayana traditions found in Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

In Japan's Zen Buddhist schools, it is known as “Rohatsu,” meaning the 8th day of the 12th month, Mitchell said. In some