Vesak festival held at White House in conjunction with international Vesak 2026

By Sisira Wijesinghe from Washington DC

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Vesak Festival was held at the White House, the official residence of the President of the United States, in conjunction with the 2026 International Vesak Festival, bringing together Buddhist clergy and devotees from diverse traditions.

The event, organized with the full support of the United States government, was attended by Buddhist monks representing the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions.

Representing Theravada Buddhism were the Chief Judicial Sangha Nayaka of the United States, Most Venerable Katugasthota Uparatana Nayaka Thero, and Venerable Heenbunne Kondakna Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Staten Island Buddhist Vihara in New York.

Senior White House officials, representatives of the International Buddhist Association of America, and a large gathering of Buddhist lay devotees also participated in the celebration.

The Vesak Festival highlighted the growing recognition of Buddhist cultural and spiritual traditions in the United States and served as a platform for promoting peace, compassion, and interfaith understanding.