World celebrates the Buddha's birthday
Buddhists pray during a ceremony to commemorate the birth of Buddha, at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, May 11, 2014.
Buddha's birthday falls on the eighth day of the fourth month of the Chinese lunar calendar and was marked in Taipei on Sunday with a statue bathing ceremony.
Buddhists across the world celebrate holy Vesak to honour the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha 2,550 years ago.
Bangkok, Thailand
Buddhists hold candles while encircling a large Buddha statue during Vesak Day at a temple in Nakhon Pathom province, May 13, 2014.
Taipei, Taiwan
Buddhists pray during a ceremony to commemorate the birth of Buddha, at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, May 11, 2014.
Taipei, Taiwan
Buddhists pray during a ceremony to commemorate the birth of Buddha, at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, May 11, 2014. B
Colombo, Sri Lanka
A man picks up statues of Buddha one by one, as he packs them for sale at a workshop ahead of Vesak Day celebrations, 12, 2014.
Vesak Day, which is celebrated on May 14 and 15 in Sri Lanka.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
A man cleans a statue of Buddha which will be featured in an illuminated display illustrating episodes from the life of Buddha, ahead of Vesak Day celebrations, May 9, 2014.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
A man paints statues of Buddha at a workshop ahead of Vesak Day celebrations, May 12, 2014.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
A man paints statues of Buddha at a workshop ahead of Vesak Day celebrations, May 12, 2014.
Takeo, Cambodia
A woman lights incense sticks during a Vesak Day ceremony at a pagoda, May 13, 2014.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A child drops coins into golden Buddha statues as a symbol of blessings on Vesak Day at the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple in Petaling Jaya, May 13, 2014.
Singapore
A devotee prays before a "three steps one bow" ceremony at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on the eve of Vesak Day, May 12, 2014.
Devotees circumambulate the perimeter of the temple bowing once every three steps during the ceremony. Every prostration symbolises the paying of respect to Buddha.
Singapore
Buddhist monks prostrate as they perform the "three steps one bow" ceremony at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, May 12, 2014.
Singapore
Devotees perform the "three steps one bow" ceremony at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, May 12, 2014.
Takeo, Cambodia
Buddhist monks attend a Vesak Day ceremony at a pagoda, May 13, 2014.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
A man holds a line of Buddhist flags while decorating a pandal at a temple ahead of Vesak Day celebrations, May 13, 2014.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
A man works on a pandal at a temple ahead of Vesak Day celebrations, May 13, 2014.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Men hang Vesak lanterns ahead of Vesak Day celebrations, May 13, 2014.
Nakhon Pathom, Bangkok
Buddhists holding candles encircle a large Buddha statue at a temple, May 13, 2014.
Nakhon Pathom, Bangkok
Buddhists holding candles encircle a large Buddha statu, May 13, 2014.
Nakhon Pathom, Bangkok
A nun holds a candle as she prays during Vesak Day, May 13, 2014.