Duekhor Duchen

The 15th (full moon) day of the 3rd lunar month is Duekhor Duchen, the commemoration of Shakyamuni’s teaching of the Kalachakra Tantra. A year after his enlightenment, it is said that Shakyamuni Buddha appeared at Vulture Peak, setting forth the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Prajnaparamita), and simultaneously he appeared at Dhanyakataka in South India as Kalachakra, setting forth the Kalachakra Tantra.

This day (full moon of 3rd lunar month) is also celebrated by many Buddhists as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jyanti, commemorating Buddha’s birth. It is also known as Vesak, the special day that Theravadin Buddhists commemorate Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana together.