Festivals all over the world are celebrated to honor the great souls of the world, cherish moments of togetherness, and for personal peace and happiness.
Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanthi is the most sacred festival celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. Traditionally known as Vesak, the event is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Vaishak (April/May); the Tamil month of Vaikasi. This auspicious day is celebrated in honor of the enlightened soul of Gautama Buddha; believed to be an avatar of Vishnu. This day marks the three most significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha-his birth, enlightenment (Buddhahood), and death (Panirvana) that occurred on the same day. it Celebrate this year on 23 May, 2024
History
Gautama Buddha was earlier known as Siddhartha. He was born as a prince in Lumbini, Kapilavastu, present Nepal, to a royal family around 563-483 B.C.; being born in a royal family he was expected to lead the kingdom. As a result, he grew up in the interiors of the palace with no knowledge about the outside world and its multitude of sufferings. However, at the age of 29, he witnessed human suffering outside his magnificent palace premises which triggered his quest for knowledge. He was extremely saddened to see death, disease, and hopelessness around him.
The experience had a deep effect on him as a result of which he left his wife and family in search of the cause of human suffering and realize the ultimate truth. However the path of self-realization was laden with several difficulties; he meditated for a number of years and ultimately attained enlightenment under a sacred Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, Varanasi, in the Indian state of Bihar. He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh.
After enlightenment, Siddhartha came to be known as Gautama Buddha meaning “the awakened soul”. He propounded the Three Universal truths wherein suffering and changes are a part and parcel of life; the cycle of cause and effect will always lead to suffering and nirvana/moksha can be achieved only with the right intention and proper conduct. He propounded the Noble Eightfold path to mankind to mitigate suffering.
The Eightfold Path consists of the right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right Samadhi. These doctrines of morality and ethics preached by him to mankind are known as Dhamma.
During Buddha Purnima or Vesak, devotees gather and remember the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. The dharma wheel symbol is commonly seen, which is also known as the dharma chakra. The wheel has eight ribs, representing the great teachings of Gautam Buddha. Gautama Buddha breathed his last at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
Where and When Worshipped
This auspicious day is celebrated with much zeal mainly in India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nepal, Tibet, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, China, Singapore, Laos, and Malaysia. In India, particularly in Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh), Bodh Gaya, Ladakh, Northeastern regions like Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and down south Kushalnagar, Karnataka the festival is celebrated with great fun and fare.
In 2023, Buddha Purnima falls on May 5 in India. It will be the 2,582nd birth anniversary of Lord Buddha
Rituals
On this auspicious day, Buddhists all over the world visit monasteries to offer prayers in complete silence; listen to monks give sermons with a great sense of faith and devotion. Devout Buddhists may spend the entire day meditating. Some temples display a small statue of Buddha as a baby. The statue is placed in a basin filled with water and decorated with flowers. Visitors to the temple pour water over the statue.
This symbolizes a pure and new beginning. Other statues of Buddha are worshiped by offerings of incense, flowers, candles, and fruit. The whole place exudes peace and tranquility. People perform various philanthropic activities as a purification ritual. Some donate in cash or kind or both to organizations that help the poor, elderly, and those who are sick.
Animals are treated respectfully and caged animals are set free. The ideals of compassion and care for fellow living beings are followed as envisioned by Buddha. On this day the attire worn is usually white in color depicting inner peace and happiness. Since the killing of animals is prohibited in Buddhism non-vegetarian food is normally avoided on this day. Sweetmeats especially sweet porridge are prepared and served to all as it is believed that a woman named Sujata offered Buddha Kheer on his birthday and hence the tradition is followed to this day.
Buddha’s Birthday in India
The Mahabodhi tree in Bodh Gaya wears a festive look on the day of Buddha Purnima. Special prayers are offered under the Bodhi tree where Buddha gave his first sermon. The place is adorned with colorful flags, and bright decorations and Buddhist chants reverberate throughout the day instilling a sense of spiritual happiness. In Sikkim, the event is known as Saga Dawa. In Gangtok, a procession is carried out by the monks with the holy book around the town for public viewing and offering prayers.
During this event musical instruments are played like drum beating, blowing horns; masked dance performances. The Namdroling Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Kushalnagar near Bylekuppe, Karnataka conducts week-long prayer sessions on the eve of Buddha Purnima. the whole monastery is decked up with colorful flowers, and the smell of incense sticks wafts throughout the atmosphere the National Museum in Delhi brings out the holy remains of Gautama Buddha for public viewing.
The cultural center of Dalai Lama, Tibet House in Delhi, hold special ceremony and exhibition. Additionally, an annual celebratory event is held in Delhi by the International Buddhist Confederation in association with the Indian Ministry of Culture. The ceremony is attended by the Prime Minister of India, international guests, and monks.
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Buddha’s Birthday Around the World
In Macau, lantern parades are held for Buddha’s birthday. In Japan, replicas of shrines with flowers are made and a small idol of Buddha is placed on them to offer prayers. In Nepal, devotees light butter lamps in a monastery during Buddha Jayanthi and offer obeisance to Buddha.
In Sri Lanka, bright lamps are lit in homes as a sign of spiritual optimism. In Thailand, water is poured into the roots of the banyan tree in monasteries for spiritual awakening. Thus in different places, the modes of worship may be different but the spirit of worshipping remains the same. all over meditative silence is maintained as a mark of respect to Lord Buddha.
Read Also: Top 10 Attractions In Sarnath
Places to Visit
Mahabodhi temple, Bodh Gaya; Mahaparinirvana temple, Kushinagar; Sarnath temple, Varanasi; Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh; Golden Pagoda, Namsai; Theravada Buddhist temple, Shanti Stupa, Ladakh, etc. In conclusion, it can be affirmed that Buddha Purnima is a spiritual festival where the five principles called the ‘Panchsheel” are followed strictly by Buddhists strictly. these are- not to take life, not to steal, not to lie, not to take alcohol, not to commit adultery.
It envisages the Buddhist moral code of conduct as a holistic way of living whereby mankind can get rid of endless suffering and attain nirvana. The life and teachings of Buddha hold relevance in today’s scenario where society is torn between violence and bloodshed.
Thus this festival is a torchbearer of the ideals and preachings of Gautama Buddha for the evolution of mankind.
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