Introduction

Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha and is celebrated all over the world with immense enthusiasm and exuberance. It falls on the auspicious full moon night of the Vaisakha month according to the lunar calendar. It was on this day that Buddha attained enlightenment and ultimately salvation. In countries like Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal, Japan etc where the major population is of the Buddhists, the celebrations have special fervor. In India, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath are the main centers where the festival is celebrated with great devotion and gaiety.

Legend/History

Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism was born in a royal family in Lumbini, Nepal. At the time of his birth it was predicted that the child will definitely do some laudable work in his life. Later, when Gautam Buddha grew up, he was touched to see the agony and the sufferings all around him. He decided to search for truth and way out to all these sufferings. He traveled far from the materialistic world and engaged himself in deep meditation. Ultimately his hard work reaped fruitful results and he attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya.

According to the Buddhist legend, it is also believed that Buddha's wife Yashodhara, his first disciple Ananda, his charioteer Channa, and the horse Kantaka all were born on the same day of Buddha Jayanti which makes it even more auspicious.

Significance

The festival has its unique significance which makes it an important day in Buddhists’ life. After realizing the futility of human life, Lord Buddha gained illumination of thoughts and simplified eight-fold path of salvation. Buddha's philosophical analysis helped people to get rid of their miseries and adopt the path of mankind. They affirmed their faith in the basic five principles preached by the Lord:-

Not to take life Not to steal Not to lie Not to consume liquor or other intoxicants Not to commit adultery

Buddha also denounced the animal sacrifices in the yajanas and preached everyone to love each other.

Celebrations and Rituals

On this day you can see great happiness, tranquility and joy on Buddhists’ faces. The day is marked with peaceful prayers, sermons on the life of Buddha, processions, continuous recitation of Buddhist scriptures, deep meditation etc. The followers gather in Buddhists’ monasteries for worshipping and giving alms to the monks. They wear white, keep fasts and worship the Bodhi tree.

In India, the Mahabodhi Temple in particular wears a festive look and is adorned with colorful flags and flowers. There are special fairs and events in Limbini and the whole place is beautifully decorated.