Joyous Buddhist festival Celebrating the Life and Teachings of the Siddhartha Gautama Buddha
Buddha Purnima is a special day for Buddhists all over the world. It honors the birth, enlightenment, death of the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Festival is also known as Buddha Jayanti and Vesak.
Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the lunar month, which usually falls between April and May. This year it is on Thu, May 23, 2024
On Buddha Purnima, Buddhists wear white clothes, exchange greetings, and share the Buddha's teachings (dharma).
This sacred festival commemorates three pivotal moments in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism: – His birth – His enlightenment – Passing into Parinirvana
One of the most important places to celebrate Buddha Purnima is Bodhgaya in Bihar, India. This is where the Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment under a banyan tree.
The Mahabodhi Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is decorated with lights and flowers for the festival. The temple houses a tree that is said to have grown from the original banyan tree.
Sarnath is another important place to celebrate Buddha Purnima. Where the Buddha gave his first sermon to his followers after achieving enlightenment.
The town lights up for the festival, and a fair is held to commemorate the occasion. The Buddha's relics are also brought out and displayed on elephants.
Buddha Purnima transcends religious boundaries. Call for peace, and pursuit of a meaningful life. As the light of a full moon bathes the world, may the teachings of Buddha resonate and inspire us all