Ours is a rich culture, and we celebrate all religious festivals. Buddha Purnima commemorates the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Gautam Buddha. On this auspicious day, Hindus and Buddhists all over the world visit Lord Buddha’s holy shrines to pray. More than 70 years after independence, Indians generally believe their country has lived up to one of its post-independence ideals: a society in which people of various religions can live and practise freely. India’s vast population is both diverse and religious. India is home to not only the majority of the world’s Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs but also one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, as well as millions of Christians and Buddhists.
History of Lord Buddha
Lord Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama to Suddhodana and Maya, the Shakya clan’s king and queen. Even before Lord Buddha was born, predictions were made that he would either become a great ruler or a Greek monk. Lord Buddha’s father confined him in the palace for fear of losing his son, and he was only allowed to see the outside world after the age of 29. Gautama Buddha saw three things on his first visit outside the palace: an old man, a dead body, and a sick man. These three sights taught him that life is full of sorrow and that it is only a passing phase. Lord Buddha left his princely life, traveled into the forest, and spent six long years studying doctrines and undergoing yogic austerities after his encounter with the outside world.
How did Siddhartha Gautama become Lord Buddha?
He abandoned the palace to become a wandering ascetic. He learned medicine from Alara Kalama and Udraka Ramaputra and quickly mastered their systems. He attained high levels of mystical realisation, but unsatisfied, he sought nirvana, the highest level of enlightenment. He took a seat under a banyan tree and sought enlightenment. After attaining enlightenment, he went about preaching about it and established Buddhism.
Buddha Purnima commemorates Buddhism’s core values of peace, nonviolence, and harmony. It commemorates the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The day commemorates the liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth of a philosopher, spiritual guide, religious leader, and meditator. On Buddha Purnima, devotees visit temples, pour water at the base of the Bodhi tree, assist the poor, perform puja, and meditate.
Date and Time Budh Purnima 2022
The auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima will be celebrated this year on May 16, 2022. Purnima Tithi begins on May 15, 2022 at 12:45 PM. Purnima Tithi concludes on May 16, 2022 at 09:43 AM. Buddha Purnima commemorates the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Gautam Buddha. On this auspicious day, Hindus and Buddhists all over the world visit Lord Buddha’s holy shrines to pray. The date of Buddha Purnima is based on the Asian lunisolar calendar, and it usually falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaisakha. As a result, this day is also referred to as Vaisakhi Buddha Purnima or Vesak.
Related: National Festivals/Observances
How do we celeberate Budh Purnima
For members of the Buddhist community, the celebration is extremely important. On this day, people go to Lord Buddha’s sacred sites. They offer their prayers. Many devotees also pay visits to temples, pour water at the base of the Bodhi tree, give alms to the poor, and meditate.
Special Kheer on Budh Punima
During Buddha Purnima, the most popular prasad made and offered is kheer. Prasad is primarily made with rice, milk, sugar, and dry fruits. The Kheer Prasad is first offered to Lord Buddha, then to monks, and finally to family, friends, and those who are less fortunate. The story behind Kheer’s popularity is fascinating. Sujata, a milkmaid, is said to have offered Lord Buddha a bowl of Kheer and his six years of asceticism after mistaking him for a tree spirit who had granted her wish to have a child.
What are the Lord Buddha’s offerings?
A Lord Buddha statue is kept in a bowl filled with water and flower petals. While singing hymns, devotees offer honey, joss sticks, candles, fruits, and flowers. Many devotees around the world release birds, animals, and insects from cages as a “symbolic act of liberation.”
What is the meaning of Buddha Purnima?
