May 20, 2024
Weekly global religious, spiritual and nonreligious observance information
The President's Committee on Religion, Spirituality and Nonreligious Diversity presents the global observance information for May 20 to June 2.
Declaration of the Bab — Wednesday, May 22. Tradition: Baha'i. Commemorates the day in 1844 on which he announced his identity as the "Bab," or "Gate," the herald of the new age. Begins at sundown.
Wesak, also called Buddha Day — Thursday, May 23. Tradition: Buddhism. The commemoration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana, celebrated on the day of the full moon of the sixth lunar month in Southeast Asian cultures; in Tibetan culture, Wesak commemorates only the the enlightenment and parinirvana. The dates of this celebration vary significantly among Buddhist cultures and communities.
Ascension of Baha'u'llah — Monday, May 27. Tradition: Baha'i. Marks the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Baha'i faith. Work is suspended on this day.
The President's Committee on Religious, Spiritual and Nonreligious Diversity welcomes those of all global religious, spiritual and nonreligious commitments. Further, we welcome any suggestions, questions or other comments. Please contact the committee's chair, David Yetter, at dyetter@k-state.edu.