Buddha Purnima is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama ( the founder of Buddhism ). On this auspicious day, the followers of Buddhism and Buddhists from all over the world offer their respect to Lord Buddha by performing puja and visiting holy shrines. Every year, the date of Buddha Purnima depends on the Asian lunisolar calendar which usually falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Vaisakha.
Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vaisakhi Buddha Purnima or Vesak. The festival of Buddha Purnima is based on the Asian lunisolar calendar and marks the birth of Gautama Buddha. It is celebrated with great fervour in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and numerous other South East Asian countries including Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia and Indonesia. A statue of Lord Buddha is kept in a bowl filled with water and flower petals.
Buddha Purnima is the biggest day for Buddhists because on this day, it is believed three important events of the Buddha’s life took place: his birth, his attaining enlightenment, and his death, Paranirvana. This day is known as Thrice Blessed Festival.
Buddha Purnima 2023
The festival falls on the first full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Vaisakha, which corresponds to April-May in the Gregorian calendar. Buddha Purnima will be observed on 5th May (Friday) in the year 2023.
| Buddha Purnima 2023 Date | 5 May 2023 |
| Day | Friday |
| Anniversary | 2585th Birth Anniversary |
| Buddha Purnima Tithi Begins | At 11:44 PM on May 04, 2023 |
| Buddha Purnima Tithi Ends | At 11:03 PM on May 05, 2023 |
| Also Called as | Gautma Buddha Jayanti, Vesak, Phat Dan, Saga Dawa, Vesak Bochea, Visakha Puja |
| Significance | Birth of Gautma Buddha |
Buddha Purnima is on May 5 this year (in India and Nepal) or May 19 (for those in Southeast Asian countries). The date varies because May has two full moon days, and the Buddhist and Hindu lunar calendars can be interpreted differently. Buddha’s birth is celebrated as part of a festival called ‘Vesak,’ which combines the three key events of his life — his birth, enlightenment, and death. Join us on a deep dive into the fascinating life of this profound spiritual leader.
Buddha Purnima Significance
Buddha Purnima celebrates Buddhism which stands for – peace, non-violence and harmony. It marks the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha who was the founder of Buddhism. The day honours the philosopher, spiritual guide, religious leader and meditator who got liberated from the cycle of birth and rebirth. On the day of Buddha Purnima, devotees pay visits to temples, pour water at the base of the Bodhi tree, help the poor, do puja and meditate.
Buddha’s teachings are followed with sincerity on this day and thus, devotees avoid non-vegetarian food, offer goods and kheer to the poor, and generally wear white clothes to maintain purity. Devotees of Buddha visit temples, light candles and incense sticks, pray and offer sweets and fruits before the statue of Lord Buddha. Sermons on the life and teachings of Buddha are held and attended by followers all over.
Many followers also free caged birds on this day as a symbol of empathy and compassion for all living beings, one of the most important teachings of Lord Buddha. In India, a large fair takes place in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, a major Buddhist pilgrimage site where Buddha is said to have delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
Gautam Buddha
Gautama Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama and referred commonly as the Buddha. He is referred as the founder of Buddhism.
Gautam Buddha was born c. 563–483 BCE in Lumbini, Nepal to royal parents of the Shakya clan but renounced his home life in Kapilavastu, Shakya republic, Kosala kingdom [now in Nepal] to live as a wandering ascetic. After leading a life of begging, asceticism, and meditation, in 528 B.C. he attained enlightenment ( The ‘Awakening’ ) at Bodh Gaya, Bihar in what is now India. In 483 B.C.
Buddha attains nirvana (release from the cycle of rebirth) and passes away in a state of deep meditation. From 269-231 B.C. During the reign of King Ashoka, a patron of Buddhism, Buddhism begins to spread throughout Asia.
The historic Buddha or Gautama Buddha, is considered the ninth avatar (incarnations) among the ten major avatars of the god Vishnu, according to the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism.
His followers, known as Buddhists, propagated the religion that is known today as Buddhism.
Siddhartha Gautama, popularly known as Gautama Buddha was a great spiritual teacher, philosopher, and a guide who founded Buddhism. As per historians’ beliefs, he lived approximately between 563-483 BC. However, there is no definite data about the birth date.
After the age of 29, Buddha spent years in meditation in search of truth, attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, and gave his discourse on Dharma in Sarnath.
History of Buddha Purnima
The birthplace of Gautam Budha is in Lumbini, Nepal. Despite being born as a prince in a royal family in a small kingdom, Buddha or Siddhartha realised the truth of human life at an early age. Belonging to the Shakya clan, his father was warned by the Brahmins about Siddhartha either becoming a great monarch or a great sage. This prophecy was made twelve years before his birth.
The King kept his son confined within the walls of the palace to prevent him from becoming an ascetic. Despite growing up in luxury, trained in swordsmanship, archery, running, swimming, and wrestling, his destiny caught up with him.
He struggled to get out from the shadow of princely luxuries and find out more about the world. He was curious to know about the circle of life and death. Thus, despite getting married and having a son, he decided to leave the castle walls and venture out into the world.
He bid a silent farewell to his wife and son and set about finding answers to questions about birth, rebirth, salvation or moksha. Years later, he became enlightened and became Buddha. It was a full moon day in the month of Vaisakh. Since then, Buddha Purnima is celebrated to commemorate this day.
Best Places to Observe Buddha Jayanti in 2023
Today, Buddha Purnima is celebrated with great devotion and reverence across all religions. Some of the best places where you to observe Buddha Purnima and learn more about Lord Buddha’s teachings include:
1. Bodh Gaya
It is one of India’s major pilgrimage sites. This place is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. On this day, you can visit Mahabodhi temple, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. People gather here for religious sermons and discourses on Buddha Purnima day.
2. Sarnath
It is another sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site. In this place, a great fair takes place where the relics of Buddha are performed in procession. People celebrate this day with hymns, vegetarian delicacies, and offerings.
3. Sikkim
In Sikkim Vesak festival (Buddha Purnima) is observed as Saga Dawa. Here, monks carry the Holy Book of Tsuklakhang Palace Monastery in a procession to the beat of horns and drums. At numerous monasteries, folk dance performances also take place.
4. Arunachal Pradesh
In Arunachal Pradesh, a religious procession occurs where a large number of devotees carry a statuette of Lord Buddha and holy scripts. Furthermore, they chant Buddhist mantras from Theravada Buddhist Monastery to Thuptan Ga-Tselling Monastery as spiritual significance.
5. Ladakh
People of Ladakh celebrate this auspicious day by participating in various activities like meditation and spiritual talks about Buddhist scriptures, prayers, and communication on Buddha’s life. Monks decorate monasteries with flowers, and people visit these monasteries, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Hope you liked this article by read4knowledge.