KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 -- Some 2,500 years ago, Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini - located in present-day Nepal - and is said to have later become the Buddha or "the enlightened one" while seated under a Bodhi tree.

Wesak Day marks his birth, enlightenment and passing and is revered as the holiest day in Buddhism.

Buddhists in different parts of the world commemorate the day on different dates between May and June.

This year, Nepal observed Wesak on May 1 along with Cambodia, India and Laos.

In contrast, Malaysia and neighbouring Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand is commemorating the occasion today.

Why the different dates?

K. Don Premaseri, the vice-president of Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society that manages the Buddhis...