May is a busy month for religious celebrations from around the world.

Wesak or Vesak is a special celebration time in Buddhism                                                    

that remembers the Buddha’s birthday.

To find out more about the story of Buddha have a look at this story:

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t2-re-492-the-story-of-the-buddha-powerpoint

Wesak Day is celebrated on the full moon in May and is the most important Buddhist festival.

To find out more information about this celebration, please click on this link to BBC Bitesize:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zh4mrj6/articles/zbsp92p

There are many important symbols in Buddhism, here are just two which you may already know: –

Here are some activities you could try:-

– an easy origami lotus flower made from a square of coloured paper

– or a trickier, but very pretty flower, made with different coloured squares

You  could also attempt to make some lotus flower designs from cup cake cases-

Here is an easy moon activity using some aluminium foil. Just crush up a circle of foil, flatten it out and stick it onto a background.

For a dharma wheel craft activity try this from CBeebies:

Finally, this pretty “stained glass” lotus flower is also a simple lesson in symmetry! It looks very pretty hung in a window for the light to shine through it, and would be perfect for Vesak celebrations.

You will need:

• Black card
• Pink tissue paper
• Glue

Instructions:

Fold the card in half and draw on the petals of a lotus flower, using our photo as a guide.

Carefully cut out the pieces.

Glue a piece of pink tissue paper to the back of the card.

Hang your picture up against a window, or somewhere the light will shine through it.

Enjoy the Vesak activities!

Linda.