Event

Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is one of the most significant festivals in the Buddhist calendar. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death (parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The festival is observed on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakha (April or May), and its name "Purnima" signifies the full moon day.

Significance:

• Birth of Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha, was born into a royal family in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) around 563 BCE.
• Enlightenment: At the age of 35, after years of meditation and renunciation, Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, and became known as the Buddha, meaning "The Awakened One."
• Parinirvana: Buddha passed away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India, attaining parinirvana, the final liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Celebrations:

• Devotional Practices: Followers of Buddhism visit temples and monasteries to offer prayers, meditate, and listen to sermons on the teachings of the Buddha.
• Rituals: People often bathe Buddha statues, light candles, and offer flowers, fruits, and vegetarian meals as a sign of respect.
• Acts of Kindness: Practicing generosity, compassion, and helping the needy are core aspects of the day. Buddhists often engage in charitable activities such as distributing food, clothes, and donating to welfare organizations.
• Peace and Non-violence: On Buddha Purnima, the teachings of non-violence (Ahimsa) and kindness towards all beings are emphasized.

The festival is observed with reverence across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and several Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. It is a day dedicated to the Buddha’s timeless teachings of peace, mindfulness, and compassion.