Buddha Purnima is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. It is the most important festival of the Buddhists, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Every festival has its own rituals which provide an insight into the lives and beliefs, customs and culture of the people observing them. Although Buddhists regard every full moon as sacred, the moon of …
Read More »Buddha Purnima: Celebrations, Rituals, Enlightenment, Nirvana & Panchsheel
This is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Although Buddhists regard every full moon as sacred, the moon of the month of Vaisakh / Baisakh (April – May) has special significance because it was on this day that the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and Nirvana. This three-fold coincidence, gives Buddha Purnima …
Read More »Life of Buddha: Early Life, Education, Enlightenment
The three most significant events in the life of Gautam Buddha occurred on the same day. His birth, enlightenment and death (nirvana), all happened on a full moon night in April / May. This makes the day – called Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti – all the more sacred for Buddhists. Below we have provided a brief biography of Gautam …
Read More »Lord Buddha: Birth and Renunciation
Buddha was a real historical character at the same time he was a mythical man of legend. Buddhist mythology is replete with legends relating to his birth. It is believed that Buddha had come into being after through a series of birth and death. In some he was reborn as human and in some, as an animal. And that Buddha …
Read More »Buddha Purnima: The Observances
Vesak, commemorating the birth, Enlightenment and death of Buddha, is observed as a public holiday in many Southeast Asian countries. Specially in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand. In Japan and other Mahayana countries, however, the three events of Buddha are observed on separate days. In some countries the birth date is April 8, the Enlightenment date …
Read More »Lord Buddha: Enlightenment and Nirvana
Siddhartha renounced his kingdom in search of ‘truth’. But ‘truth’ was not easy to be found. He took to the life of an ascetic, like the one he saw as the last of the Four Passing Sights. The ascetic, with a peaceful face, inspired him most. During his search, he traveled to distant lands. And for six years he lived …
Read More »Buddha Purnima around the world
Buddha Purnima in India Bodh Gaya (Bihar): Before his death, the Buddha enjoined his followers to make pilgrimages to four sites: Lumbini, where he was born; Uruvela (modern Bodh Gaya), the site of his enlightenment; Sarnath, the place of his first sermon; and Kushinara, where he died. Each of these sites may be visited today, and Bodh Gaya remains the …
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