Buddha Purnima 2019- This is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. This is celebrated in India and most parts of Asia. Gautam Buddha was originally known as Prince Siddhartha Gautama. He, later on, went to become the founder of Buddhism which has gained prominence all over the world now. Gautama was born on 563 – 480 BCE in Lumbini which is also known as modern day Nepal. He was raised at the Shakya capital of kapilvastu which is Tilaurakot in the present day Nepal.
Buddha Purnima 2019: Dates in India and other countries
The exact date of Buddha’s birthday is unknown. It is based on the Baisakh month of the Buddhist calender and also Bikram Sambat Hindu calender which is also known as Vesak. Buddha Purnima has got special relevance in India and Nepal and the festival is celebrated on full moon day in these countries.
In China and Korea, the festival is celebrated on the eight days of the fourth month as per the Chinese Lunar calendar. The dates varies from year to year but mostly the festival is celebrated either in the month of April or May. In leap years the festival might be celebrated in June too. In Tibet, Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the seventh day of the fourth month of the Tibet calendar. This year Buddha Purnima will be celebrated on 18th May. Buddha Purnima is a gazetted holiday in India.
Buddha Purnima: Importance and Buddhist Followers
For people who follow Buddhist ideology, Body Gaya is one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites. People visit Bodh Gaya in huge numbers to witness the site which is one of the biggest inspirations for Buddhism followers all over the world. Other three important pilgrimage sites for Buddhism followers are – Kushinagar, Lumbini and Sarnath. Buddhism followers believe that Gautam Buddha firstly enlightened his knowledge at Body Gaya and then he visited Sarnath.
Many people also believe that Gautam Buddha obtained enlighten and also passed away on the very same day. Buddha Purnima is known by different names. Some of the most famous names are – Buddha Jayanti, Vesak, Vaisakha and Buddha’s Birthday.
In North India, there is a very famous belief that Lord Buddha is the ninth incarnation and Lord Krishna is the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu. But in South India, Gautam Buddha was never considered as the Vishnu avatar. Rather in South India, Lord Balram is considered as the eight incarnation and Lord Krishna as the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Budhha Purnima – History of the Festival
Buddha Purnima is a major festival among the Buddhism followers.
Lord Buddha’s birth is an interesting story in itself. Lord Buddha appeared as the son of king Shuddhodhana and Queen Anjana. On the night of his divine conception, the lady had a dream that white elephant with tusks entered through her right side and Lord Buddha was born just after 10 months. He was named as Lord Siddhartha soon after his birth.
In his childhood only, an astrologer predicted that Lord Buddha will grow up to become one of the biggest saints of all times. His parents were terrified and they tried to capture and pure Lord Buddha into material deluxes and worldly affairs.
But one fine day when he was travelling all around his kingdom, he came through a old man. The man was diseased and this pained Gautam Buddha to the core. And when he discussed the same with his chariot then he replied that anyone cannot avoid or escape from the miseries of old age.
And that was the time when Gautam Buddha decided to leave all his worldly royal comforts and went for the search of knowledge and entitlement to the forests. He sat and meditated for years below the trees and at Body Gaya below a Bodhi tree he received enlightment. This is the reason the place is visited regularly by his followers all over the world.
Lord Buddha’s Values
Lord Buddha is one of the biggest preacher of non violence and he was against holding animals as pets. He believed in freedom and thus he always was of a view that firstly animals should be set free. He used to urge his followers to never have animals as their prisoners. Also, he used to ask people to be on vegetarian diet and not kill animals for their own sacrificial purpose.
Budhha Purnima: Significance
The festival of Buddha Purnima has high significance all over the world. The messages of Lord Buddha was spread all throughout the countries. Many people in India and abroad followed the principles of Lord Buddha.
In China, Burma, Japan, and many other countries people in huge numbers follow Buddhism and they preach the teachings of Lord Buddha. On the auspicious day of Buddha Purnima, many people from all across the globe come to Sarnath temple and also visit other pilgrimage sites associated with Lord Buddha.
Mahabodhi tree is also visited by people. People who follow Buddhism religion offer food, water, and other valuables to poor people and they also donate huge sums of money to charity. Caged animals are set free on this day.
Some people also observe fast on this auspicious day. And since Buddha Purnima is also celebrated on a full moon day, thus many people associate this day with spiritual and religious beliefs. People also meditate in front of the scriptures of Lord Buddha.
They chant the entire day and also held talks where the teachings of Lord Buddha are discussed. At some of the places Lord Buddha is bathed in holy water and then he is decorated and visitors visit his statue the entire day.
Some people also worship Lord Buddha by offering prayers, holy water, fruits, and candles. In many parts of India, people who strictly follow Buddhism decorate their homes and light oil lamps and also decorate their entrance with flowers.
That was all about Buddha Purnima. Let us know how are you planning to celebrate your Buddha Purnima holidays this year in the comments down below. We would love to hear back from you.
