World
Buddha Purnima marks Gautama Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.
Updated : May 21, 2016, 01:38 PM IST
While it is common for US Presidents to release statements to acknowledge a holiday. For the first time, Barack Obama publicly wishes the "world in their celebration" of on an important holiday on the Buddhist calendar, Buddha Purnima, also know as Vesak.
Obama's greeting came after a group who calls themselves White House Vesak 2016 committee sent letters to the president, requesting him to acknowledge the Buddhist celebration.
On Friday, the White House released Obama's statement on Vesak.