Q: We’re working on our 2553 Spiritual Journal. Need to check with you the meaning of 2553 on the Buddhist calendar cos we’ll be including the meaning in its intro.
A: 2553 is the calculation of Buddhist year beginning from the physical passing of the Buddha. Come 19th May 2009, Vesak Day, the Buddhist calendar will be 2553 B.E., which stands for ‘Buddhist Era’. It marks the anniversary of the parinirvana of the Buddha. For more info, see http://accesstoinsight.org/history.html
I would say the significance of the B.E. dating system is similar to that of the B.C. system, which reminds Christians of J.C.; while the B.E. system commemorates the Buddha’s attainment of final liberation. Another take… For Buddhists, the anniversary of the physical passing of the Buddha reminds us of the importance of treasuring time to practise the Dharma that he taught… before our actual passing!