Buddha Poornima is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. This year, it falls on May 23, 2024. It is an annual celebration observed on the first full moon of the Hindu calendar month Vaishakha observed by Buddhists and many Hindus. This is going to be 2586th birth anniversary of Mahatma Buddha.
He also attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya on this auspicious day. Siddhartha Gautam attained enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi tree of Bodh Gaya. This happened after Siddhartha Gautam did a long meditation to seek answers regarding the meaning of our existence and the root cause of suffering. After the enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautam came to be known as Gautam Buddha.
The full moon in May holds special significance in Buddhism as it marks three key events in Gautama Buddha’s life Birth, Enlightenment and death.
It is also called Buddha Jayanti or Vesak. It is an important day for people who follow Buddhism to reflect upon Gautam Buddha’s teachings and follow his spiritual path to enlightenment
Primarily a Buddhist festival, the day is celebrated in most of South, Southeast and East Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, China and South Korea many other countries.
On this occasion people visit to temples, meditation sessions, chanting of Buddhist scriptures, offering food and alms to monks, and engaging in charitable acts. Many Buddhists and Hindus also perform rituals like bathing in holy rivers, worshipping Lord Buddha and making offerings to the moon.
Buddha Poornima is a public holiday in India. Public holiday for Buddha Purnima in India was initiated by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar when he was the minister of law and justice, who followed Buddhism in his later life.
The festival holds immense importance as it reminds people of Buddha’s teachings. Devotees believe that taking a holy bath on this day can free them from their sins.
As we celebrate the special day, we should remember the teachings of Gautam Buddha and the way he showed us to lead a life of peace, non-violence, truthfulness and affection.
