Vaisakh Buddha Purnima, Buddha Jayanti) is a Buddhist
festival that marks Gautama Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. It falls
on the day of the Full Moon in April, or May Buddha Purnima is the biggest day
for Buddhists because, on this day, it is believed three essential 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.
The birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the founder of
Buddhism is celebrated as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti with much fervour
across the world. It falls on a full moon day in the month of Vaisakh
(April/May) according to the Hindu calendar. This year Buddha Purnima will be
celebrated on May 7. In Theravada Buddhism, it is also observed as the day when
Buddha, born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563-483 BCE) attained Nirvana
(salvation) under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar, as well as his death
anniversary. The Vaisakh full moon day
is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar. Several Buddhists go to the
pagodas to pour water at the foot of the sacred tree in remembrance of the
Buddha's Enlightenment.
Buddha Purnima is a significant festival celebrated with great
pomp and fervour in countries like Sri Lanka (where it is called Vesak), India,
Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia,
Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia, though celebrations vary from country to
country. 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. People usually dress in white, do not consume non-vegetarian food and
distribute kheer, as according to Buddhist lore, on this day a woman named
Sujata had offered Buddha a bowl of milk porridge.
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. The relics of Buddha
are taken out for public display in a procession. Many Hindus also believe
Buddha to be the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This year, with coronavirus
pandemic and nationwide lockdown, now in phase 3, the celebrations are likely
to look different.
Kavitha Devda
The Fabindia School
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