This project aims to inspire and educate people about the historic birth of the Śākyamuni Buddha and, in doing so, integrate Buddhist wisdom within a modern context.
The Buddha’s Birthday Education Project (BBEP) documents the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road and charts the migration and localisation of the religion from its origins in northern India, along the Silk Road and onwards to many parts of Asia and, subsequently, into the West.
The project also acknowledges that our forefathers recognised the importance of the Buddha and therefore have celebrated his birthday in many different ways. As the canonical records are not easily accessible, this project team has transformed them into artworks, music and multimedia applications.
Our localisation work takes the perspective of today’s audience. The aim of the BBEP is to explain and give context to rituals that may appear foreign to people who have not grown up with the Buddhist tradition.
We hope that BBEP may be a stepping stone towards embracing happiness and peace in multicultural and multi-faith societies worldwide.