Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesIndonesian muslim women prepare release a lantern into the air on Borobudur temple during celebrations for Vesak Day on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesLanterns fly into the air at Borobudur temple during celebrations for Vesak Day on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesMAGELANG, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA - MAY 10: Buddhist followers at Borobudur temple during celebrations for Vesak Day on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing (Parinirvana). (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Tom Van Cakenberghe, Getty ImagesKATHMANDU, NEPAL - MAY 10: Young Buddhist monks receive donations during Buddha's birthday prayers at Boudha Stupa on May 10, 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Vesak is observed during the full moon in May or June, which celebrates the stages of the life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, from the birth, the enlightenment to nirvana, and his passing (Parinirvana). (Photo by Tom Van Cakenberghe/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesA Buddhist monk woman walks around the streets to receive religious alms from Buddhist followers during Pindapata procession on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. on May 10, 2017 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Tom Van Cakenberghe, Getty ImagesA young Buddhist monks take part in Buddha's birthday prayers at Boudha Stupa on May 10, 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Vesak is observed during the full moon in May or June, which celebrates the stages of the life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, from the birth, the enlightenment to nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Tom Van Cakenberghe/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesA Buddhist monk receives religious alms from a Buddhist follower as they walk around the streets during Pindapata procession on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. on May 10, 2017 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesThe Borobudur temple seen illuminated during celebrations for Vesak Day on May 11, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Tom Van Cakenberghe, Getty ImagesYoung Buddhist monks receive donations during Buddha's birthday prayers at Boudha Stupa on May 10, 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Vesak is observed during the full moon in May or June, which celebrates the stages of the life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, from the birth, the enlightenment to nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Tom Van Cakenberghe/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesBuddhist monks walk around the streets to receive religious alms from Buddhist followers during Pindapata procession on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. on May 10, 2017 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesA Buddhist follower girl light a lantern as they prepare release lanterns into the air on Borobudur temple during celebrations for Vesak Day on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesMAGELANG, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA - MAY 10: A child looking out of window as a Buddhist monk walks around the streets to receive religious alms from Buddhist followers during Pindapata procession on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. on May 10, 2017 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing (Parinirvana). (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesMAGELANG, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA - MAY 10: Buddhist monks receive religious alms from Buddhist followers as they walk around the streets during Pindapata procession on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. on May 10, 2017 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing (Parinirvana). (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Prakash Mathema, AFP/Getty ImagesA Nepalese Buddhist monk lights butter lamps during Buddha Purnima, which marks the Buddha's birthday, in Kathmandu on May 10, 2017. The Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal and devotees commemorate his birth, his attaining enlightenment and his passing away on the full moon day of May, which this year falls on May 10.
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesBuddhist followers put lotus flower at the Borobudur temple during Pradaksina procession as a part of celebrations for Vesak Day on May 11, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Prakash Mathema, AFP/Getty ImagesA Nepalese Buddhist devotee hangs prayer flags during Buddha Purnima, which marks the Buddha's birthday, at Swayambhunath in Kathmandu on May 10, 2017. The Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal and devotees commemorate his birth, his attaining enlightenment and his passing away on the full moon day of May, which this year falls on May 10. / AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)
Tom Van Cakenberghe, Getty ImagesKATHMANDU, NEPAL - MAY 10: Buddhist monks and devotees release small birds as part of Buddha's birthday prayers at Boudha Stupa on May 10, 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Vesak is observed during the full moon in May or June, which celebrates the stages of the life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, from the birth, the enlightenment to nirvana, and his passing (Parinirvana). (Photo by Tom Van Cakenberghe/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesBuddhist followers and tourists release lanterns into the air on Borobudur temple during celebrations for Vesak Day on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty ImagesMAGELANG, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA - MAY 11: A Buddhist follower walks around the Borobudur temple during Pradaksina procession as a part of celebrations for Vesak Day on May 11, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing (Parinirvana). (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Tom Van Cakenberghe, Getty ImagesA young Buddhist monk takes part in Buddha's birthday prayers at Boudha Stupa on May 10, 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Vesak is observed during the full moon in May or June, which celebrates the stages of the life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, from the birth, the enlightenment to nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Tom Van Cakenberghe/Getty Images)
Ulet Ifansasti,Getty Images
1 of 20
Indonesian muslim women prepare release a lantern into the air on Borobudur temple during celebrations for Vesak Day on May 10, 2017 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur temple annually, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is observed during the full moon in May or June, with the ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur. The stages of life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing . (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
ExpandBy Glen Barber | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
May 2017, Buddhists across Asia celebrate the stages of life of Buddhism’s founder, Gautama Buddha, which are celebrated at Vesak are his birth, enlightenment to Nirvana, and his passing.


















