Buddha Purnima:Everything You Need To Know

Buddha’s birthday is most significant festival for Buddhists. Buddha’s birthday is celebrated in several countries across the world to commemorate the birth of Gautama Buddha. He was founder of Buddhism. He was born in Lumbini and raised in Shakya (capital of Kapilvastu). At the age of thirty five he attained enlightenment (nirvana) underneath Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya. He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. At the age of eighty, he died at Kushinagar.

Who was Buddha?

Buddha’s real name was Siddhartha Gautama. He was the prince of Kapilvastu but later he went to Lumbini forest and became a saint then he named himselves as Gautam Buddha, attained enlightenment(nirvana)and founded Buddhism.

Buddha Purnima is also called as Buddha's Birthday or Buddha Jayanti. It is a peaceful occasion. It's believed that Gautam Buddha was born on this particular day.

Where is the festival celebrated?

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated across India usually in Sikkim,Ladakh,Bodh Gaya,Arunachal Pradesh, etc and now it is being celebrated in the whole nation which is a good to know stuff as it promotes peace. Other than India this festival is also celebrated in China,Indonesia,Japan,Malaysia,Myanmar, North Korea,South Korea and many other countries.

On this day Buddhist goes to common Viharas. Generally, people wear white dress on this day. Kheer is served to remember the tale of Sujata who offered a bowl of kheer to Buddha. Special prayers are held at Bodhi tree under which Gautama Buddha took enlightenment

Some of the holiest sites associated with Buddha's life include Bodhgaya ( Place of enlightenment), Sarnath (Site of first sermon) Shravasti, Rajgir and Kushinagar.

Emperor Ashoka spread Buddhism to other nations. Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is a public holiday in India, this was initiated by Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar when he was minister of Social Justice.

Gautam Buddha was a prominent saint and his teachings enlighten people even today. He always talked about peace and his sayings are usually about peace.So,celebrate Buddha Jayanti on 18th May this year as it promotes peace and peace brings prosperity.

‘ We are shaped by a thoughts; we become what we think when mind is pure,joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.’