Buddhists carry candles while encircling a large Buddha statue during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at a temple in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok May 10, 2017. Picture taken using long exposure. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Buddhists carry candles while encircling a large Buddha statue during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at a temple in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok May 10, 2017. Picture taken using long exposure. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom 

A monkey sits on an idol of Buddha during celebrations on the birth anniversary of Buddha, also known as Vesak Day, in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 21, 2016. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Buddhist monks walk next to Borobudur temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, during celebrations marking Vesak Day in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia June 3, 2015. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
REUTERS/Roni Bintang TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A Buddhist monk inspects candles during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at Wat Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A Buddhist prays during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at Wat Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom 

Buddhist monks carry a Buddha statue after a parade on ethnic Dai's Vesak Day, or Buddha's Birthday in Anning, Yunnan province, April 6, 2015. REUTERS/Wong Campion 

A man takes pictures of vesak lanterns during the vesak day in Colombo May 15, 2014. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on May 14 and 15 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Paper lanterns are released at Borobudur temple during celebrations marking Vesak Day in Magelang, Central Java May 15, 2014. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dwi Oblo (INDONESIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A Buddhist devotee worships on Vesak day at Kelaniya temple in Colombo May 14, 2014. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on May 14 and 15 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION) 

A Buddhist devotee worships at Kelaniya temple in Colombo on Vesak Day May 14, 2014. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on May 14 and 15 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A nun holds a candle as she prays during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at a temple in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok May 13, 2014. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION) 

Buddhists holding candles encircle a large Buddha statue during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at a temple in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok May 13, 2014. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Men hang Vesak lanterns ahead of Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo May 13, 2014. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on May 14 and 15 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION) 

A man works on a pandal at a temple ahead of Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo May 13, 2014. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on May 14 and 15 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION) 

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, near Kuala Lumpur May 13, 2014. Buddhists across the world on Tuesday celebrate holy Vesak to honour the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha 2,550 years ago. REUTERS/Samsul Said (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A devotee hangs a lantern of well wishes at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on the eve of Vesak Day in Singapore May 12, 2014. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on Tuesday in Singapore, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A devotee prays before the "three steps one bow" ceremony at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on the eve of Vesak Day in Singapore May 12, 2014. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on Tuesday in Singapore, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Devotees circumambulate the perimeter of the temple bowing once every three steps during the ceremony. Every prostration symbolises the paying of respect to the Buddha. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A devotee prays before a "three steps one bow" ceremony at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on the eve of Vesak Day in Singapore May 12, 2014. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on Tuesday in Singapore, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Devotees circumambulate the perimeter of the temple bowing once every three steps during the ceremony. Every prostration symbolises the paying of respect to Buddha. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A man picks up statues of Buddha one by one, as he packs them for sale at a workshop ahead of Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo May 12, 2014. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on May 14 and 15 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A man cleans a statue of Maha Maya which will be included in illuminated panels illustrating episodes from the life of Buddha, ahead of Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo May 9, 2014. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on May 14 and 15 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: ANNIVERSARY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A Buddhist believer takes a photographs of lanterns after a lotus lantern parade to celebrate the upcoming birthday of Buddha and to commemorate the victims of the capsized passenger ship Sewol, at Jogye temple in Seoul April 26, 2014. The Sewol ferry sank on April 16 on a routine trip south from the port of Incheon to the traditional holiday island of Jeju. More than 300 people, most of them students and teachers from one high school on a field trip, have died or are missing and presumed dead. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: DISASTER MARITIME RELIGION) 

A worker attaches prayer petitions, with names written on cards, to lotus lanterns in preparation for the upcoming birthday of Buddha at Jogye temple in Seoul April 4, 2014. Buddha's birthday falls on May 6 in South Korea. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A Buddhist monk walks down a road asking for alms to mark Vesak day in Colombo May 25, 2013. Vesak, which is celebrated on May 24 and 25 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Picture taken May 25, 2013. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION) 

A Buddhist monk walks down a road asking for alms to mark Vesak day in Colombo May 25, 2013. Vesak, which is celebrated on May 24 and 25 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Picture taken May 25, 2013. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION) 

A lit Buddha statue is seen at Gangaramaya Temple after Vesak Day in Colombo May 26, 2013. Vesak, which fell on May 24 and 25 for Sri Lanka this year, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Buddhist nuns and monks walk around a statue of the child Buddha during Vesak Day celebrations at Duoc Thuong pagoda, outside Hanoi May 24, 2013. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Buddhists carry candles while encircling a large Buddha statue during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at a temple in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok May 24, 2013. Picture taken using long exposure. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND - Tags: ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY RELIGION) 

A Buddhist family gives alms to monks collecting donations ahead of Waisak, or Vesak Day, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Magelang near the ancient temple of Borobudur in Central Java May 24, 2013. REUTERS/Dwi Oblo (INDONESIA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION) 

A Buddhist monk receives food as medium to be offered to the dead during Vesak Day at a temple in Bachok in Malaysia's northeastern state of Kelantan May 24, 2013. Buddhists in Malaysia on Friday celebrate the holy Vesak Day to honour the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha. REUTERS/Samsul Said (MALAYSIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A vendor picks out a Vesak lantern for a customer at a stall ahead of Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo May 22, 2013. Vesak, which is celebrated on May 24 and 25 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A Buddhist prays under an artificial tree with golden leaves and Thai baht banknotes during a mass alms offering ceremony in Bangkok May 19, 2013. Thousands of Buddhist monks and believers attended the ceremony to mark Vesak Day, the annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A boy steps from stone to stone at the Cheonggye stream where traditional lanterns are exhibited to celebrate the upcoming birthday of Buddha in Seoul May 15, 2013. Buddha's birthday falls on May 17 in South Korea. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Buddhists believers meditate during a ceremony on Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province, north of Bangkok June 4, 2012. This year marks the 2600th anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY RELIGION) 

A buddhist monk meditates during a ceremony on Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province, north of Bangkok June 4, 2012. This year marks the 2600th anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY RELIGION) 

Fireworks are seen at the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death in Pathum Thani province, on the outskirts of Bangkok June 4, 2012. This year marks the 2600th anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY RELIGION) 

A man takes pictures of lanterns on Vesak day in Colombo May 5, 2012. The festival commemorates the birth and enlightenment of Buddha and his attainment of Nirvana. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION) 

People walk past lanterns on Vesak day in Colombo May 5, 2012. The festival commemorates the birth and enlightenment of Buddha and his attainment of Nirvana. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY SOCIETY) 

Buddhist believers pour scented water as they bathe a statue of the child Buddha during Vesak Day celebrations at Duoc Thuong pagoda, outside Hanoi May 5, 2012. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Buddhist devotees arrive at Gangaramaya temple on Vesak day in Colombo May 05, 2012. The festival, celebrated on May 5, commemorates the birth and enlightenment of Buddha and his attainment of Nirvana. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Novice Buddhist monks attend a Vesak Day ceremony at the Udong mountain in Kandal province May 5, 2012. Buddhists in Cambodia celebrate Vesak Day to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Samrang Pring (CAMBODIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A vendor arranges Buddhist flags at a road side stall ahead of Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo May 4, 2012. The festival commemorates the birth and enlightenment of Buddha and his attainment of Nirvana and will be celebrated on May 5. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A devotee recites prayers in front of a Buddha statue on the eve of Vesak Day in Kuala Lumpur May 4, 2012. Buddhists celebrate the holy day to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha. REUTERS/Samsul Said (MALAYSIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Raja, a giant elephant puppet lantern, is controlled by performers as people watch during Vesak festival week in Colombo May 20, 2011. The festival commemorates the birth and enlightenment of Buddha and his attainment of Nirvana. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION) 

Indonesian Buddhists attend a ceremony on Vesak Day in front of Borobudur temple in Magelang, Central Java May 17, 2011. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrated Vesak Day on Tuesday to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dwi Oblo (INDONESIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Indonesian Buddhists walk in the Borobudur temple during a ceremony on Vesak Day in Magelang in Indonesia's Central Java May 17, 2011. Buddhists in Indonesia celebrated Vesak Day on Tuesday to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Picture taken using long exposure. REUTERS/Dwi Oblo (INDONESIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

People are silhouetted as they look at a pandol, a giant lit-up display with a Buddhist theme, during Vesak day celebrations in Colombo May 17, 2011. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A man walks past Vesak day decorations on Vesak day in Colombo May 17, 2011. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Buddhist devotees arrive at a temple to attend a religious ceremony on Vesak day in Colombo May 17, 2011. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: RELIGION) 

A Buddhists monk uses a radio as he gives instructions to others arriving for a prayer during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at Wat Dharmmakaya in Pathum Thani province, on the outskirts of Bangkok May 17, 2011. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Buddhists carry candles while encircling Wat Dharmmakaya during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, in Pathum Thani province, on the outskirts of Bangkok May 17, 2011. Picture taken using long exposure. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Buddhists carry candles while encircling a large Buddha statue during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at a temple in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok May 17, 2011. This year marks 2600th anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment. Picture taken using long exposure. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND - Tags: ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY RELIGION IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Buddhist monks walk through Borobudur temple during a procession on Vesak Day in Magelang, in Indonesia's Central Java May 17, 2011. Buddhists on Tuesday celebrate Vesak Day to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Dwi Oblo (INDONESIA - Tags: RELIGION IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A Buddhist monk arrives to join others attending a ceremony during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at Wat Dharmmakaya in Pathum Thani province, on the outskirts of Bangkok May 17, 2011. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Candles are lit near a Buddha statue during Vesak Day celebrations at Duoc Thuong pagoda, outside Hanoi May 16, 2011. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Buddhist believers attend Vesak Day celebrations at Duoc Thuong pagoda, outside Hanoi May 16, 2011. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Buddhist monk Thich Hai Hoa (C) prays with believers during Vesak Day celebrations at Duoc Thuong pagoda, outside Hanoi May 16, 2011. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Buddhist monks walk along a busy street to collect donations ahead of a Vesak Day procession in Magelang, central Java, May 16, 2011. Buddhists in Indonesia will celebrate Vesak Day on Tuesday to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha . REUTERS/Dwi Oblo (INDONESIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY)