What can you tell me about the Buddhist New Year?

Question

Anybody know of any websites that provide good explanations of the Buddhist New Year?

Answer 1

Buddhism doesn't have a calendar system and there's no such thing as a "Buddhist New Year."

However, there is a Lunar New Year which is celebrated in Buddhist countries throughout East Asia. In the West, we usually call this the Chinese New Year, although it's not specifically Chinese.

East (and some Southeast) Asian countries have traditionally maintained a calendar based on lunar (moon) cycles. The Wikipedia article referenced below will give you quite a lot of detail.

Answer 2

I follow Tibetan Buddhism and recently read that the Buddhist New Year starts some time in March. The Dalai Lama usually gives some sort of speech or addresses his Buddhist followers with uplifting words.
If you would like to learn more about it try going to dalailama.com. You will be able to read the text of the speech given and find out where the Dalai Lama will be speaking then. You can also contact local Buddhist centers for information on the Buddhist New Year in case you want to attend a service.
Hope that answers your question!

Answer 3

I didn't know there was a Buddhist New Year.