Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is the most sacred day for people who believe in and follow Buddhism. Along with rejoicing the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha there are many more aspects and significances. Read on to learn more about Buddha Purnima.Buddha Purnima is the most important festival of Buddhists. It falls on the full moon day of Vaishaakh, of Hindu calendar. Many people are not much aware of the historical events attached to this day, even though they know the religious significance of this auspicious day. However, it is an official holiday in India and government offices, banks, post office as well as most of the private organizations also remain closed on this day. In this articleAbout Lord BuddhaPilgrimage Sites to Visit on Buddha PurnimaSignificance of Buddha PurnimaRituals of Buddha PurnimaAbout Lord BuddhaLord Buddha was born as Siddhartha. After enlightenment he became a great Buddha and became popular as Gautama Buddha. He became a great spiritual teacher and was the founder of the religion Buddhism. Although, the exact date of birth of Gautama Buddha is not known, according to many historians, he was born between 563 – 483 BC.Pilgrimage Sites to Visit on Buddha PurnimaBodh Gaya, Lumbini (in Nepal), Kushinagar and Sarnath are the most important pilgrimage sites for people who follow Buddhism. Lumbini is the place where he was born, Bodh Gaya is the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment after many years of prayers and sacrifices. Sarnath is the place where he first taught the Dharma and Kushinagar is the place where he died.Significance of Buddha PurnimaIt is believed that Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death all happened to have taken place on this day. Although all Buddhists do not commemorate all the events on this day, still events are commemorated by all.The main intention of celebrating this day is to remember Lord Buddha and his achievements during his life time. He was a prince by birth, but did not choose the easy and luxurious life of the palace. He even got married, had a beautiful wife and a son. However, a day turned his life and he left the palace to search for truth of life. It is believed that he meditated for 49 days under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya and attained Nirvana. He became the Buddha.Rituals of Buddha PurnimaBuddha Purnima is marked by special devotional services. Every year some important events are organized on this special day to honour Lord Buddha’s exemplary life. Devotees visit monasteries, listen sermons, stories and stanzas from Buddhist scriptures. Many offer food, clothes, money or gifts to poor and priests on this day.Devotees of Lord Buddha also offer flower and light candles in front of the statue. Religious speech, recitation of Holy Scriptures and prayer are performed at different places in different forms. In some places people even take procession or organize events. They show their faith in Panchsheel, the five principles of Lord Buddha.People also sprinkle scented water and pour milk to the roots of banyan tree on this day. Some keep fast for the day and light earthen lamps in front of the banyan tree.The birth anniversary of Lord Buddha is also known as Buddha’s Jayanti, Buddha’s birthday, Vaishaakh Purnima and Vesak Day. This most important festival of Buddhists generally falls usually in the month of May.Although there are different ways of observing the great day, there is unity in the spirit. This reminds Buddhists to spread the message of Buddha and re-dedicate themselves to his teachings. They pray to Lord Buddha to bless them and their dear ones with happiness and true knowledge.What is the significance of Buddha Purnima? How is Buddha Purnima observed by Buddhists? Which rituals do Buddhists follow on the day of Buddha Purnima? Discuss here.
Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is the most sacred day for people who believe in and follow Buddhism. Along with rejoicing the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha there are many more aspects and significances. Read on to learn more about Buddha Purnima.Buddha Purnima is the most important festival of Buddhists. It falls on the full moon day of Vaishaakh, of Hindu calendar. Many people are not much aware of the historical events attached to this day, even though they know the religious significance of this auspicious day. However, it is an official holiday in India and government offices, banks, post office as well as most of the private organizations also remain closed on this day.
About Lord Buddha
Lord Buddha was born as Siddhartha. After enlightenment he became a great Buddha and became popular as
Gautama Buddha. He became a great spiritual teacher and was the founder of the religion Buddhism. Although, the exact date of birth of Gautama Buddha is not known, according to many historians, he was born between 563 – 483 BC.
Pilgrimage Sites to Visit on Buddha Purnima
Bodh Gaya, Lumbini (in Nepal), Kushinagar and Sarnath are the most important pilgrimage sites for people who follow
Buddhism. Lumbini is the place where he was born, Bodh Gaya is the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment after many years of prayers and sacrifices. Sarnath is the place where he first taught the Dharma and Kushinagar is the place where he died.
Significance of Buddha Purnima
It is believed that Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death all happened to have taken place on this day. Although all Buddhists do not commemorate all the events on this day, still events are commemorated by all.
The main intention of
celebrating this day is to remember Lord Buddha and his achievements during his life time. He was a prince by birth, but did not choose the easy and luxurious life of the palace. He even got married, had a beautiful wife and a son. However, a day turned his life and he left the palace to search for truth of life. It is believed that he meditated for 49 days under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya and attained Nirvana. He became the Buddha.
Rituals of Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is marked by special devotional services. Every year some important events are organized on this special day to honour Lord Buddha’s exemplary life. Devotees visit monasteries, listen sermons, stories and stanzas from Buddhist scriptures. Many offer food, clothes, money or gifts to poor and priests on this day.
Devotees of Lord Buddha also offer flower and light candles in front of the statue. Religious speech, recitation of Holy Scriptures and prayer are performed at different places in different forms. In some places people even take procession or organize events. They show their faith in Panchsheel, the five principles of Lord Buddha.
People also sprinkle scented water and pour milk to the roots of banyan tree on this day. Some keep fast for the day and light earthen lamps in front of the banyan tree.
The birth anniversary of Lord Buddha is also known as Buddha’s Jayanti, Buddha’s birthday, Vaishaakh Purnima and Vesak Day. This most important festival of Buddhists generally falls usually in the month of May.
Although there are different ways of observing the great day, there is unity in the spirit. This reminds Buddhists to spread the message of Buddha and re-dedicate themselves to his teachings. They pray to Lord Buddha to bless them and their dear ones with happiness and true knowledge.
What is the significance of Buddha Purnima? How is Buddha Purnima observed by Buddhists? Which rituals do Buddhists follow on the day of Buddha Purnima? Discuss here.
