Buddha Purnima 2024 - Thursday, May 23

Buddha Purnima, which falls on the full moon night in the month of Vaisakha (either in April May), commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism. Notwithstanding the summer heat (the temperature routinely touches 45 degrees C), pilgrims come from all over the world to Bodh Gaya to attend the Buddha Purnima celebrations.

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is a significant and sacred festival in Buddhism. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death (parinirvana) of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. This festival typically falls on the full moon day of the month of Vaisakha (April or May in the Gregorian calendar) and is observed by Buddhists around the world with various customs and traditions.

Rituals:

• Devotees often bathe statues of Buddha as a symbol of purification and renew their commitment to following the teachings of Buddha.
• The eight precepts (moral guidelines) are often followed more strictly on this day by devout Buddhists.

The Story of Buddha Purnima

Buddha attained Supreme Enlighten or Buddha hood, beneath the Bodhi tree at Boddha Gaya. Forty-five years later at the age of eighty, he finally passed away in Parinivana on the same day of the year at Kushinagar. Vaisaka Purnima is celebrated especially in Boddha Gaya, Lumbini, and Kushinara as they are the holy places that were connected with the blessed ones' birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana. Sarnath the capital of Buddhism too grandly celebrates Vaisaka Purnima day.

Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha, was born in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) around 563 BCE. At the age of 35, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya (modern-day Bihar, India), realizing the path to liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara). At the age of 80, Buddha passed away in Kushinagar (modern-day Uttar Pradesh, India), achieving parinirvana, which is the ultimate release from the cycle of rebirth.

Buddha Purnima Celebrations Across the Globe

The day is marked with prayer meets, sermons on the life of Gautam Buddha, religious discourses, continuous recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation, processions, and worship of the statue of Buddha. The Mahabodhi Temple wears a festive look and is decorated with colorful flags and flowers. The Chinese scholar, Fa-Hien has recorded a celebration of this festival.
It is important to give a summarized description of the Buddhist festivals in India, especially in the main places of worship. The principal annual ceremony for all the Buddhists is the Vaisaka Purnima known in Sri Lanka as the Wesak festival and in India as Buddha Jayanti. Vaisaka Purnima Day is fixed by the full moon day of the month Vaisaka, which falls in May. Like all other Buddhist festivals, it falls according to the Lunar year. It was on this day of the year, according to the year. Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal, Japan, and quite several Western Buddhists

Devotees visit temples and monasteries to offer prayers, meditate, and participate in religious services. A common ritual involves bathing the statue of the Buddha with water or scented liquids, symbolizing purification and the washing away of ignorance. Devotees bring offerings of food, flowers, candles, and incense to the Buddha statues. These offerings symbolize the transient nature of life.

Monks and spiritual leaders give sermons and teachings on the life and philosophy of the Buddha, emphasizing compassion, mindfulness, and the Eightfold Path. Engaging in acts of kindness and charity is an important aspect of the day. Many people donate to the needy and perform charitable activities. Group chanting of Buddhist scriptures and collective meditation sessions are held to honor the teachings of the Buddha and to cultivate inner peace and wisdom.

The great Buddhist festival Vaisaka, although is an occasion for rejoicing doest encourage hectic gaiety and abandon. The happiness that the Buddhists feel when they are celebrating it is a tranquil, peaceful joy. The festival has its gay side as well. In most Buddhist countries the villages, roads, streets, temples, and houses are brightly illuminated with colored Lanterns, electric lights, and colorful decorations.