Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak Day or Buddha Jayanti, is an annual festival celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. It is a day of great significance as it commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The festival is usually celebrated in the month of May, on the full moon day of the lunar month Vaisakha. Here are some key points to know about Buddha Purnima:
1. The Birth of Gautama Buddha:- Buddha Purnima marks the birth of Gautama Buddha, who was born in Lumbini, present-day Nepal, over 2,500 years ago. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha was born on the full moon day of the lunar month Vaisakha, which falls in May. His mother, Queen Maya, gave birth to him while she was on her way to her parent’s home in Devadaha.
2. The Enlightenment of Gautama Buddha:- Buddha Purnima also marks the day when Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under a bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha had been searching for the truth of existence for many years, and finally, after sitting in meditation for 49 days, he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, or the “enlightened one”.
3. The Death of Gautama Buddha: Buddha Purnima also commemorates the death of Gautama Buddha, which is also known as his Parinirvana. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha died in Kushinagar, India, at the age of 80. His death is seen as the final release from the cycle of birth and death and is considered a time of great significance for Buddhists.
4. Observances of Buddha Purnima:- On Buddha Purnima, Buddhists all over the world observe various rituals and practices to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. They may visit temples and monasteries, offer prayers and offerings, meditate, and listen to teachings on the Buddha’s life and teachings.
5. The Eightfold Path:- One of the central teachings of Buddhism is the Eightfold Path, which is a set of guidelines for leading a meaningful and ethical life. The Eightfold Path consists of the right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
6. The Four Noble Truths:- Another central teaching of Buddhism is the Four Noble Truths, which describe the nature of suffering and the path to liberation from suffering. The Four Noble Truths are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path to the cessation of suffering.
7. The Five Precepts:- Buddhists also observe the Five Precepts, which are a set of ethical guidelines for leading a compassionate and non-harmful life. The Five Precepts are: to refrain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and taking intoxicants.
8. Vesak Day:- Vesak Day is a public holiday in many countries, including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It is also observed as a United Nations holiday, recognizing the importance of Buddhism as a global religion and the contributions of Buddhists to society.
9. The significance of Buddha Purnima:- Buddha Purnima is a time for reflection and contemplation for Buddhists, as they remember the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. It is a time to renew their commitment to the path of enlightenment and to strive for greater compassion, wisdom, and understanding in their lives.
10. Conclusion:- Buddha Purnima is a significant festival for Buddhists all over the world, as it.
