Buddha Purnima celebrates the birth anniversary of Buddhism’s founder, Siddhartha Gautama. Buddha Purnima is celebrated every year on the Purnima (full moon day) of the Hindu month of Vaisakh, which often falls in April or May on the Gregorian calendar.
Buddha Purnima 2024 falls on 23rd May 2024
• Buddha Purnima 2022 was observed on 16th May 2022.
• Buddha Purnima 2023 was observed on 5th May 2023.
Importance:
- Along with Buddha Purnima, these festivals are also called Buddha Jayanti, Vesak, Vaishaka, and Buddha’s Birthday.
- On this day, according to legend, Gautama Buddha also acquired enlightenment.
- The day honors the three major moments in the life of the Buddha—his birth, enlightenment, and death—by commemorating the Vesak festival.
About Gautama Buddha:
- In the ancient city of Lumbini, which is today in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province in Nepal, Gautama Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama.
- In search of spirituality and the purpose of life, Siddhartha Gautama, a prince, abandoned his opulent lifestyle.
- The Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, while Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh is acknowledged as the site of his first Dharma teachings.
Buddha’s teachings:
Buddha taught what is referred to as Dharma. The “Four Noble Truths” and the Noble Eightfold Path, as well as other teachings, provide a way to put an end to suffering and reach Nirvana.
Honorable Eightfold Path:
Eight practices make up the Eightfold Path: right viewpoint, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi.