On this holiday, electrically illuminated thoranas (“TORE-ah-nahs”), or pandals, are often displayed next to free food stands called dansala. This holiday, which formerly coincided with the Hana Matsuri festival, often overlaps with a celebration in Yasothon (“yah-so-TAWN”) where rockets are set off to ask for rain from the Sky King. As part of this holiday, a common date for life release, scented water is poured over a statue that usually has one finger pointed up and one down in a kind of (*) “bathing.” This holiday, which is usually on the first full moon of May, often involves wearing white clothes, following the eight precepts, and going to wats, stupas, or other temples like Borobudur. For 10 points, name this holiday where Theravada practitioners celebrate the birth and enlightenment of its namesake figure. ■END■
ANSWER: Vesak [or Vesākha; or Buddha Day; or Buddha's birthday; or Buddha Jayanti; or Buddha Purnima; or Fodan; or Phật Đản]
<Benjamin McAvoy-Bickford, Religion>
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