About a quarter of a million people in the UK identify as Buddhist. The community includes those who came from countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam, and a smaller but significant number of British-born converts. Buddhist places of worship are called temples or viharas; the religious leaders are called monks.
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Wesak, also spelt Vesak, is the most important Buddhist festival, marking the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. It is celebrated on the full moon in May. Buddhist meditation centres are now found in most major UK cities and have an active outreach beyond the Buddhist community.
You may be asked what Wesak celebrates, what a Buddhist place of worship is called, or which religion has its main festival in May.
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