Festivals and dates of the year
The days on which the Medicine Buddha is celebrated in Japan, in the Chinese Buddhist world and in the Tibetan tradition. Every date comes from the temple or institution that holds it.
Lapis Festival
Under construction
The Lapis festival is being prepared. Dates, place and programme are not set yet. This page will be updated.
Yakushi ennichi, the 8th of every month
- When
- Every month, on the 8th
- Where
- Japan
In Japan, the 8th of every month is Yakushi's day (薬師縁日). At Yakushi-ji in Nara, a reading of the Great Wisdom Sutra is held that day at 11 am in the Kondō, followed by a talk at 1 pm. 8 January is called “Hatsu-Yakushi”, the first of the new year; 8 December, “Osame-Yakushi”, the last. A few temples keep the 12th instead, echoing the twelve vows.
Note: Next dates: 8 November and 8 December 2026 (Osame-Yakushi), 8 January 2027 (Hatsu-Yakushi).
Sources
Hana-e Shiki (修二会花会式), Yakushi-ji, Nara
- When
- 25 to 31 March, every year
- Where
- Nara, Japan
Yakushi-ji's largest annual rite. For seven days, ten monks perform a repentance liturgy before Yakushi six times a day in the Kondō. Some 1,700 handmade artificial flowers of ten kinds (plum, cherry, peony, chrysanthemum…) adorn the altar, hence the name “flower ceremony”. By tradition, Emperor Horikawa first offered them in thanks for the Empress's recovery. On the evening of the 31st, five torch-bearing demons are driven out by Bishamonten (Oni-oi shiki).
Note: Next edition: 25 to 31 March 2027.
Sources
Medicine Buddha festival (药师佛圣诞), 30th day of the 9th lunar month
- When
- 30th of the 9th lunar month (8 November 2026)
- Where
- Chinese Buddhism
In Chinese Buddhism, the Medicine Buddha's birthday is kept on the 30th of the 9th lunar month. Temples recite the Sutra of the Original Vows and light lamps before the Buddha, often over several days. In 2026 the day falls on Sunday 8 November: Fo Guang Shan's Dong Zen Temple in Malaysia, for instance, holds its service from 6 to 8 November.
Note: This year it falls on the same day as the Japanese Yakushi ennichi: 8 November 2026.
Sources
Menla day, the 8th of the Tibetan month
- When
- The 8th of every Tibetan calendar month
- Where
- Tibetan tradition
In the Tibetan tradition, the 8th day of the lunar month is a favoured day for Medicine Buddha (Sangye Menla) practice. Every month on that day, the monks of Sera Mey Monastery offer the extensive Medicine Buddha puja, a liturgy in which they specialise. The Tibetan calendar does not follow ours: the date shifts every month, and FPMT publishes the calendar.
Note: To find this month's date, see FPMT's calendar of practice days (link below).
Sources
Sangay Menla Drupchoe, Thimphu (Bhutan)
- When
- Every year; in 2025, three days ending on 4 August
- Where
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Bhutan’s Faculty of Traditional Medicine describes the Menlha Drupchen as an annual ritual dedicated to the Medicine Buddha. In 2025 this three-day Drupchoe, organised with Menjong Sorig, the National Traditional Medicine Hospital and the Ministry of Health, ended on 4 August with the Medicine Buddha empowerment given by the Je Khenpo; the Faculty reports over 5,000 devotees on the final day.
Note: The dates of the next edition are not yet published: check the Faculty’s website.
Sources
Day of Manla (Шинийн найм), Manba Datsan, Ulaanbaatar
- When
- Every month, on the 8th lunar day
- Where
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
According to Manba Datsan monastery, whose main deity is Otoch Manla, on the 8th day of each lunar month (“Шинийн найм”) Manla is invited, offerings are made and the services Их Манла, Манлын дончид and Манлын лхого are recited. On the 10th, the monastery honours Shanlon and Damjin, Manla’s protectors.
Note: Dates follow the Mongolian lunar calendar: ask the monastery.
Sources
Dates checked on 15 October 2026 against the sources cited. Times can change: check with the temple before you travel.