Buddhist Vesak Day held May 8

Cambodian Buddhist monks celebrate Vesak Day in Oudong, north Cambodia, May 8, 2009. Vesak Day is held to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha more than 2,000 years ago. (Reuters)

(Reuters)

Cambodian Buddhist monks march as they hold their national flags to celebrate Vesak Day in Oudong, north Cambodia, May 8, 2009. Vesak Day is held to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha more than 2,000 years ago. (Reuters)

Cambodians light incense as they pray during Vesak Day in Oudong, north Cambodia, May 8, 2009. Vesak Day is held to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha more than 2,000 years ago. (Reuters)

Tourists following the procession on Borobudur Temple on Vesak Day, commonly known as 'Buddha's birthday', at the Borobudur Mahayana Buddhist monument on May 9, 2009 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Annually, Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, which makes it the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. During the full moon in May or June, the commemoration is observed 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 Parinirvana or passing. (Getty)

Buddhist monks walks in the rain during Vesak Day's procession in Magelang, central Java May 9, 2009. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrated Vesak Day on Saturday to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha more than 2,000 years ago. (Reuters)

Buddhist monks stand on Mendut Temple on Vesak Day, commonly known as 'Buddha's birthday', at the Borobudur Mahayana Buddhist monument on May 09, 2009 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Annually, Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, 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). (Getty)

Buddhist monks meditate at Mendut Temple on Vesak Day, commonly known as 'Buddha's birthday', at the Borobudur Mahayana Buddhist monument on May 09, 2009 in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Annually, Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, 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). (Getty)

Buddhists fly lanterns during Vesak Day celebration commemorating the birth of Buddha, and also the day when he attained enlightenment at Borobudur temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, late Saturday, May 9, 2009. (AP)