Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, is an annual celebration commemorating the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. It is a significant festival for Buddhists all around the globe, celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm. Devotees make a commitment to honour the festival’s customs, clean their homes, bathe early in the morning to rid themselves of any impurities and adhere to Gautam Buddha’s teachings.
Furthermore, Buddha Purnima is culturally and spiritually significant for the global Buddhist community and is primarily observed in East Asia and South Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Tibet, Mongolia, Cambodia and Indonesia.
Buddha Purnima 2024: Date
Buddha Purnima is observed on a full moon day in the month of Vaisakha. According to Drik Panchang, the occasion falls on May 23 this year. While the exact dates of Buddha’s birth and demise are unclear, historians generally estimate his lifespan to be between 563 and 483 BC. This year marks Gautam Buddha’s 2586th birth anniversary.
The Purnima Tithi on Buddha Jayanti will commence at 6:47 PM on May 22 and conclude at 7:22 PM on May 23.
Buddha Purnima 2024: History and Significance
The auspicious festival of Buddha Purnima, celebrated mostly in East and South Asia, commemorates the birth anniversary of Prince Siddhartha Gautam, also known as Gautam Buddha. He was born in Lumbini, Nepal and attained Nirvana at the age of 35.
A full moon day is seen to be auspicious for Buddhists since it coincides with three significant events in the life of Gautam Buddha.
The full moon in May is particularly significant since Prince Siddhartha was born in Lumbini Grove.
Second, after six years of struggle, Prince Siddhartha Gautam acquired enlightenment under the shade of Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, becoming Gautam Buddha.
Third, at the age of eighty, after 45 years of teaching the Truth, he died at Kusinara to Nibbana (Nirvana) – liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.
Buddha Purnima 2024 Celebrations
On Buddha Purnima, devotees start their day by cleaning their homes, bathing and spraying Gangajal throughout the house. They also light candles and decorate their homes with flowers, make a swastika out of Haldi, roli, or kumkum in front of the entrance door, and light a candle and pour milk near the Bodhi Tree. They also donate food and clothing to those in need.
Buddha Purnima 2024: Teachings
- In our world, hatred never ends. Non-hate is the only way to pacify hatred. This is a timeless rule. Give, even if you just have a small amount.
- Whoever does harm to living beings is not considered noble. One is considered noble if he or she does not hurt living beings.
- Overcome anger with non-rage. Conquer evil with goodness. Conquer meanness with charity. Conquer dishonesty with truth.
- The water pot is filled drop by drop. Similarly, the intelligent man fills himself with good by accumulating it gradually.
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