Buddha Purnima is a sacred day when we honor the life and teachings of Siddharth Gautam the Buddha. he was born in Lumbini Nepal he renounced his royal life to seek enlightenment ultimately attaining it under the Bodhi tree in Bodha Gaya.
His teachings on four noble truths and the eightfold path continue to inspire us toward a life of peace, compassion, and wisdom.
This year Buddha Purnima is on 23rd May 2024.
*What is Buddha Purnima?
- Also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vesak, marks the birth of Prince Siddharth Gautam, who was later known as the Buddha and Founded Buddhism.
- The term Purnima translates to the full moon in Sanskrit, and the festival is celebrated on a full moon day during the month of ‘Vaisakhi’ in the Hindu/Buddhist lunar calendar. ‘Jayanti’ means Birthday.
- During the festival, Buddha idols are worshiped prayers meets are held devotees engage in religious discussion and group meditation.
*About Gautam Buddha:
- Siddharth Gautam, born to King Suddhodana, grew up in luxury, shielded from the realities of aging, sickness, and death.
- At 29, he ventured outside the palace and encountered suffering for the first time. Inspired by a serene monk, he renounced his prince’s life to seek enlightenment.
- After mastering various teachings he meditated under a banyan tree and attained enlightenment. He preached his insights, founding Buddhism and guiding others towards enlightenment.
*Celebration of Buddha Purnima:
- The National Museum in Delhi lets people see the holy remains of Lord Buddha on the occasion.
- A sweet dish called ‘kheer’ is prepared on the day of the festival.
- On this festival, the Mahabhodi temple in Bodhgaya is decorated beautifully, and prayers are held under the Bodhi tree.
- On the occasion of Buddha Purnima devotees clean their homes and take bath and sprinkle Gangajal around the house.
- Devotees decorate their homes with flowers make swastik with haldi or kumkum and pour milk near bodhi trees and they offer food and clothes to the needy on this day.
*Symbol of Buddhism:
- The Dharma wheel symbol is called Dharmchakra. It has eight ribs. The teachings of Gautam Buddha are represented through these wheels. The eightfold path of the Buddhist community is symbolized through eight struts.
*Facts of Buddha Purnima:
- In 1999 the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized Vesak as an international day of observance to acknowledge the contribution of Buddhism to humanity and promote peace and non-violence worldwide.
- It is believed that Siddarth Gautam attained enlightenment while meditating under the Bodhi tree in Bodha Gaya, India. So the Bodhi tree continues to be a pilgrimage site for Buddhists seeking enlightenment.
- In some Buddhist traditions, devotees release lanterns into the night sky as a symbolic gesture of illuminating the path of enlightenment and spreading light and hope in the world.
- The lotus flower holds symbolic significance in Buddhism representing purity, enlightenment, and spiritual growth.
*Teachings of Buddha:
- Buddha also taught about the law of Karma, where a person’s deeds in life affect their future condition, and also the importance of practical ethics and social equality.
- Buddha’s teachings center around the Four Noble Truths, which recognize that the world is full of suffering and that getting rid of that suffering.
- The Eightfold Path consisting of the right to view, resolve, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration can be followed to help win over desire.
We hope you like the above information about Buddha Purnima. For more trending an interesting blogs visit our website GrowthOfIndia.com