Buddhists across the world celebrate Buddha Purnima, or Vesak, as their most significant holiday. Buddhist groups celebrate this fortunate day, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, with great fervour. The celebration takes place on the first Purnima, or full moon day, of the Hindu month of Vaisakha, which in the Gregorian calendar is April or May. The Buddhist Purnima of 2024 will fall on Thursday, May 23. On the same day, India will also observe Guru Purnima.
History of Buddha Purnima
On Buddha Purnima, people honour the Buddha, who was born Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini, Nepal, 2,500 years ago. His enlightenment, which took place in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, under a Bodhi tree, is his most notable experience. Meditation, prayer, and acts of kindness are the ways that Buddhists throughout the globe remember this day.
It is said that the Buddha’s final departure from the cycle of life and death occurred when he passed away in Kushinagar, also known as Parinirvana. He was predicted to grow up to be a great monarch or philosopher and was born Prince Siddhartha. He was struck by illness, became old, and eventually died. He then fled his royal home in search of solace for his misery.
He awoke from intense meditation with the answers he was seeking, and at the age of 35, he became the Buddha. He passed away at Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, at the age of 80 while preaching the Dharma and guiding others toward enlightenment.
Significance of Buddha Purnima
Many countries, including India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, observe Buddha Purnima, a major Buddhist festival, as a time to consider the teachings of Gautama Buddha and to strive to emulate him in their own lives. Prince Siddhartha Gautam’s birth, enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, and eventual death at the age of 80 are the events that commemorate this day. It was determined by the World Fellowship of Buddhists to commemorate the Buddha’s birth anniversary on the first Vaisakha full moon day in May 1960. Buddhists view the full moon day as fortunate because it commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and escape from the cycle of rebirth of Prince Siddhartha Gautam.
Celebrations of Buddha Purnima
Devotees bathe, clean their dwellings, and scatter Gangajal all about them on Buddha Purnima. They make swastikas, light candles, arrange flowers in their houses, and provide food and clothing to people in need. Many people perform songs and speeches about the life and teachings of Lord Buddha at Buddhist sanctuaries. Offerings of flowers and candles are made to the Buddha statue, which is housed in a basin. On this day, sincere followers of the Buddha observe his teachings by abstaining from non-vegetarian eating, giving commodities and kheer to the underprivileged, and dressing in white to uphold their purity.
Best Places to Observe Buddha Purnima in India
The best locations in India to celebrate Buddha Purnima include Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, and Ladakh.
Wishes for Buddha Purnima
Here are some greetings that you might spread on this Buddha Purnima day.
- Let us gather to honour and consider the teachings of Lord Buddha on this unique occasion. I hope you have a happy 2024 Buddha Purnima!
- May we always be guided by the teachings of Lord Buddha as we walk through life. Happy Buddha Purnima 2024 to you!
- A very happy Buddha Purnima to you and your family!
- I hope all of your endeavours bring you tremendous success and the blessings of Lord Buddha. Happy 2024 Buddha Purnima!
- I pray that Lord Buddha grants you and your family good health, prosperity, wisdom, and compassion. A very happy Buddha Purnima in 2024 to you!
Quotes by Buddha for Buddha Purnima
Here are some Gautam Buddha quotes for Buddha Purnima:
- “Talk only nice things, things that are welcomed. When speech does not harm others, it is a good thing.”
- “Follow a wise critic who calls out your shortcomings the same way you would a guide to a hidden treasure.”
- “The world’s true strength lies in compassion; the world’s greatest misery lies in separateness.”
- “This is the unbreakable rule: Hatred is not terminated by hatred, but only by love.”
- “Anger will never go away as long as bitter ideas are kept alive in the mind. Just as soon as resentful thoughts are put to rest, anger will depart.”
Conclusion
To conclude we can say that Buddha Purnima is a global Buddhist holiday that honours the life, teachings, and passing away of Gautama Buddha. Observed in nations like India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the festival falls on the first Purnima of the Hindu month of Vaisakha. In addition to bathing and cleaning their homes, devotees make offerings to the Buddha statue. The greatest locations in India to celebrate Buddha Purnima include Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Bodhgaya, and Sarnath.
