Buddha Purnima in 2025

What is Buddha Purnima?

Buddha Purnima is a significant festival in the Buddhist tradition, observed across South, Southeast, and East Asia. It commemorates the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition and archaeological findings, Gautama Buddha was born around 563-483 BCE in Lumbini, Nepal. His mother, Queen Maya Devi, gave birth to him during a journey to her ancestral home, while his father was King Śuddhodana. The Mayadevi Temple, along with its surrounding gardens and an Ashoka Pillar dating back to 249 BCE, marks the site of Buddha's birth in Lumbini. 

The exact date of Buddha's birthday varies depending on different lunar calendars observed in various Asian regions. While the Sri Lankan convention determines the specific year, other lunisolar calendars may assign different lunar days. Consequently, the celebration of Buddha's birthday typically falls in April or May on the Western Gregorian calendar, with variations occurring in leap years, sometimes extending into June. 

Across South and Southeast Asia, Buddha's birth is commemorated as part of the Vesak festival, which also honors his enlightenment (occurring on the full moon day) and his mahaparinirvana. However, Tibetan Buddhism distinguishes Buddha's birth, celebrated on the 7th day of the 4th month, from Saga Dawa Duchen, an annual festival dedicated to his enlightenment and mahaparinirvana, observed on the 15th day of the 4th month. In East Asia, particularly in Vietnam and the Philippines, separate holidays are dedicated to the enlightenment and death of Buddha. 

The public holiday for Buddha Purnima in India was first introduced by B. R. Ambedkar during his tenure as the Minister of Law and Justice. This holiday is observed prominently in regions such as Sikkim, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bodh Gaya, Lahaul and Spiti district, Kinnaur, and various parts of North Bengal including Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Kurseong. Additionally, it is celebrated in Maharashtra, which is home to 77% of India's Buddhist population, as well as other parts of the country following the Indian calendar. On this occasion, Buddhists gather at Viharas to engage in an extended Buddhist sutra, resembling a religious service.

About Gautama Buddha

Gautam Buddha is born as Siddhartha Gautama to King Suddhodana. He was brought up in great luxury. Since it was predicted at his birth that the prince would go on to become a great monarch, he was kept isolated from the outside world so that he wouldn't be influenced by towards a religious life. However, at the age of 29, the prince decided to see more of the world and began excursions off the palace grounds in his chariot. On his trips, he saw an old man, a sick man, and a corpse. Since, Siddhartha Gautama had been protected from the miseries of aging, sickness, and death his charioteer had to explain what they were. Towards the end of the trip, he saw a monk and was impressed with the man's peaceful demeanor. Hence, he decided to go into the world to discover how that man could be so serene despite such sufferings all around him.

He left the palace and became a wandering ascetic. He studied medication under Alara Kalama and Udraka Ramaputra and soon mastered their systems. He reached high states of mystical realization but as he was unsatisfied, he went out in search of nirvana, the highest level of enlightenment. He seated himself under a banyan tree and sought to attain enlightenment. Once, he attained enlightenment, he went about preaching about it and founded Buddhism.

Important Milestones in Early Buddhism

1. 563 B.C.: Prince Siddharta Gautama is born in Lumbini, Nepal. He later becomes known as Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. 
2. 528 B.C.: Buddha gains enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India. This event is known as the "Awakening." 

1. 483 B.C.: Buddha attains nirvana, the release from the cycle of rebirth, and passes away in a state of deep meditation. 
2. 269-231 B.C.: During the reign of King Ashoka, a patron of Buddhism, Buddhist evangelism begins and the religion spreads throughout Asia. 

Celebration of Buddha Purnima

On the day of the festival, Buddha idols are worshipped as well as prayer meets are held. Devotees visit Buddhist shrines, recite Buddhist scriptures and take part in religious discussions and group meditations.

On the occasion of the festival, the Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya is beautified with hued decorations and special prayers are held under the Bodhi tree, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The national museum in Delhi lets people see the holy remains of Lord Buddha on the occasion. A sweet dish called 'Kheer' which is made using rice and milk is prepared on the day of the festival.

How is Buddha Purnima Celebrated?

Many Buddhist temples and centres hold special ceremonies on Buddha Purnima. People attend a ceremony in person or virtually participate in traditional rituals and prayers.  

Buddha Purnima is celebrated with decorations of flowers and lights. People decorate their homes or community centres with flowers and lights to create a peaceful and calming environment. The Chinese celebrate Buddha Purnima by visiting pagodas and lighting up incense, candles, and lanterns. They also participate in various religious activities, such as listening to Buddhist scriptures and performing traditional dances. In Japan, the festival is known as Hanamatsuri or Flower Festival. It is celebrated by decorating the statues of Buddha with fresh flowers and bathing them with a special flower juice. The streets are decorated with colourful lanterns, and people gather to enjoy traditional Japanese foods. 

Buddha Purnima is a time to reflect on Buddha’s teachings of compassion and kindness towards all living beings. People take this opportunity to practice kindness towards themselves and others. They try to perform small acts of kindness such as smiling at a stranger, volunteering, or simply being present for someone who needs them. In South Korea, the festival is celebrated by distributing free food to the needy and lighting up lotus lanterns. Many people participate in parades, dance performances, and other cultural events. 

Some Buddhists choose to observe a fast on Buddha Purnima as a form of purification and self-discipline. If you feel inclined to observe a fast, consult with a medical professional to ensure it is safe for you to do so. Buddha Purnima is celebrated in India with great devotion and fervour. Buddhists from all over the country visit key places in Buddha's life, such as Bodh Gaya, Lumbini, and Sarnath. During this festival, they avoid eating meat and offer vegetarian food to others. 

People reflect and meditate on Buddha’s teachings and how they can be applied in their daily life. People can use this time to meditate, journal, or simply be mindful of their thoughts and actions throughout the day. In Thailand, the festival is called Vesak, and devotees gather in temples to chant prayers and offer alms to the monks. They also participate in various religious activities, such as meditation and listening to sermons by Buddhist monks. Vesak is considered a public holiday in Thailand.

Significance of Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima is an important festival as it commemorates the life of Buddha, celebrates his teachings, promotes cultural unity, and highlights the relevance of his teachings in modern times. Buddha Purnima is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world, bringing them together to celebrate a common cause. It promotes cultural unity and highlights the universality of Buddha's teachings. Buddha Purnima is celebrated to commemorate the life of Buddha, who is considered a historical figure and whose teachings have had a significant impact on the world. It is an opportunity for Buddhists to reflect on Buddha’s teachings and their relevance in modern times. Buddha Purnima is also known as the 'thrice-blessed festival' as it celebrates three main events of Buddha's life - his birth, enlightenment, and nirvana. These events are significant milestones in Buddha's journey and represent the essence of his teachings. Buddha's teachings on wisdom, concentration, and discipline are still relevant in modern times, and the festival provides an opportunity to reflect on these teachings and how they can be applied in our daily lives. 

History of Buddha Purnima

Although Buddha's followers did not officially celebrate his birthday, festivals honouring him were held for centuries. The celebration of Buddha Purnima was not formalized until modern times. In May 1950, at the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Buddha Purnima was officially recognized as a celebration during Vesak. The full moon day in May was chosen because Buddha attained nirvana on a full moon day.  

For many centuries, Vesak is a traditional celebration in the Mahayana Buddhist. In 563 BCE, Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini as per the Theravada Tripitaka scriptures. Today, Lumbini is a part of Nepal. In 1950, Vesak was earlier pondered as Buddha Purnima. It was decided in the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists. In 1999, the celebrations of Vesak were recognised as Buddha Purnima. Vesak is an important day for Buddhists. The day celebrates the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha. In the Buddhist community, it is one of the widely celebrated festivals.

Buddhism gained popularity due to its teachings of non-violence, respect for life, and equality for women. These concepts resonated with both traditional and modern ideas of progress, and many countries in Asia became primarily Buddhist nations. Buddhism has adapted to various cultures, resulting in different sub-sects. It is a philosophy that does not celebrate deities, making it inclusive and popular among different groups of people worldwide. 

Public Life

Since Buddha Purnima is a gazetted holiday in India, post offices, government offices and even banking institutions will remain closed. Shops owned by Buddhists may remain closed on the festival day. They also can have reduced working hours. The transportation system will not be disturbed.

Symbol

During Vesak, the dharma wheel symbol is commonly seen. The Dharma wheel is also called dharmachakra. It has eight ribs. The great teachings of Gautam Buddha are represented through this wheel. The precious eightfold path of the Buddhist community is symbolised through eight struts.

Important Teachings of Buddha

The Four Noble Truths are the world is full of suffering, desire causes suffering, getting rid of desire, suffering will be removed, and the Eightfold path will help to win over desire. 

The Eightfold Path consists of the right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. It is a path of self-development and self-realization that helps to overcome suffering and attain enlightenment. The Eightfold Path is based on the principle that all human beings are capable of transforming themselves and achieving a state of ultimate peace and happiness. 

Buddha also believed that the condition of humans in their life depends upon their own deeds. Hence, he advocates the law of Karma, which is the principle that one's actions in this life determine their future lives. The law of Karma encourages individuals to act in a responsible and ethical manner, as all their actions have consequences. 

Buddha laid great emphasis on the code of practical ethics and the principle of social equality. He taught that everyone is equal and that no one should be discriminated against based on their caste, gender, or any other factor. His teachings promoted kindness, compassion, and empathy towards all living beings. In summary, Buddha's teachings revolve around self-development, ethical conduct, social equality, and compassion towards all living beings. 

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