Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak, is a significant festival celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. It marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. This festival usually falls on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakha (April or May), according to the lunar calendar. In this article, we will discuss the significance of Buddha Purnima and why it is celebrated by Buddhists.
Birth of Gautama Buddha
Buddha Purnima is primarily celebrated to commemorate the birth of Gautama Buddha. According to Buddhist scripture, Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, around 563 BCE. His mother, Queen Maya, gave birth to him under a sal tree in a garden. The legend goes that upon his birth, he immediately took seven steps and declared that he was the “chief of the world.” This auspicious event is celebrated by Buddhists worldwide as Buddha Jayanti, which falls on the full moon day in Vaisakha.
Enlightenment of Gautama Buddha
The second significant event commemorated on Buddha Purnima is the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha. According to Buddhist scripture, Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. He had been meditating for six days straight, and on the seventh day, he finally attained enlightenment. This happened on the full moon day in Vaisakha. Buddhists celebrate this event as Buddha Purnima or Vesak, which is also referred to as “Buddha’s Birthday.”
Death of Gautama Buddha
The third significant event commemorated on Buddha Purnima is the death of Gautama Buddha. According to Buddhist scripture, Gautama Buddha passed away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India. He had eaten some food that had been poisoned, and he knew that his end was near. He told his followers that he was going to pass away and instructed them to follow his teachings. This event is known as Parinirvana or Nirvana Day and is celebrated by Buddhists as a day of remembrance and reflection.
Significance of Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is a significant festival for Buddhists all over the world. It is a day of joy, celebration, and reflection. Buddhists celebrate the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha and remember the three significant events that occurred in his life. It is also a day when Buddhists make offerings to the Buddha, meditate, and chant his teachings.
The teachings of Gautama Buddha are based on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the cessation of suffering. The Eightfold Path consists of right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
Buddha Purnima is also a day when Buddhists reaffirm their commitment to the teachings of Gautama Buddha. They strive to practice compassion, kindness, and wisdom, which are the three pillars of Buddhism. Buddhists also make offerings to the Buddha and donate to charitable causes. They believe that by doing so, they are following the teachings of Gautama Buddha and contributing to the betterment of society.
Celebrations of Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. The celebrations usually include prayer, meditation, and offerings to the Buddha. Buddhists also visit temples and monasteries, where they offer flowers, candles, and incense to the Buddha. However, some common practices observed during the festival are:
Visiting Buddhist Temples: Buddhists visit temples and monasteries on Buddha Purnima to offer prayers and seek blessings. The temples are adorned with flowers and other decorations to mark the occasion.
Meditation and Prayer: Buddhists practice meditation and recite prayers and mantras on Buddha Purnima to achieve inner peace and spiritual enlightenment.
Fasting: Some Buddhists observe a day-long fast on Buddha Purnima as a mark of respect and devotion to Lord Buddha.
Lighting of Lamps: On the evening of Buddha Purnima, Buddhists light lamps and candles to symbolize the light of enlightenment and to drive away darkness and ignorance.
Donation: Buddhists donate to charities and give alms to the poor and needy as an act of compassion and kindness.
Conclusion
Buddha Purnima is a day to celebrate the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, who showed us the path to inner peace, happiness, and enlightenment. The festival reminds us of the importance of compassion, non-violence, and mindfulness in our lives. It is an occasion to renew our commitment to follow the path of righteousness and to contribute to the betterment of society.
In conclusion, the celebration of Buddha Purnima is a time to reflect on the values that Lord Buddha taught and to incorporate them into our daily lives. Through the practice of meditation, compassion, and self-discipline, we can aspire to achieve the state of Nirvana and experience the ultimate bliss and liberation that Buddha preached.
