Buddha Purnima is one of the major festivals celebrated worldwide, as it holds a special place in the hearts of Buddhists around the world. Buddha Purnima is widely known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti along with many more names depending on the region.
It is a sacred occasion that commemorates the birth, Nirvana, and Mahaparinirvana of Sidharth Gautama, the historical Buddha, whose teachings continue to inspire and guide countless individuals on the path to awakening called thrice Blessed Festival.
Buddha Purnima holds significance because it commemorates Buddha's life and teachings, which have transformed humanity for more than two and a half millennia. Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, present-day Nepal, in 563 BCE. He was destined to become a spiritual leader whose compassion, knowledge, and liberation teachings would transcend cultures and generations.
As the birthplace of Buddhism, India holds grandiose celebrations during Buddha Purnima, particularly in Bodh Gaya under the Bodhi Tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Pilgrims across India and other parts of the world visit Bodh Gaya to pay homage to the Buddha and participate in religious rituals and festivities.
Buddha Purnima can also be seen celebrating in other regions of India such as Sikkim, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti District, Kinnaur, Mizoram, various parts of North Bengal such as Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Kurseong, Maharashtra (where 77% of the total Indian Buddhist Population lives) and some other places on small scales.
The celebration of Buddha Purnima commonly begins with devotees gathering at Buddhist temples and Vihara to pay homage to the Buddha through various rituals and observances.
One of the central practices involves the offering of flowers, incense, and candles at Buddha Vihara, symbolizing reverence and gratitude for his teachings. Most Buddhists also perform acts of generosity and compassion, reflecting the Buddha’s teachings on the importance of kindness and altruism towards all beings.
Many Buddhists choose to perform acts of charity, such as donating food, clothing, or money to the monks and those in need, as a way of practicing the virtue of giving (dana) and cultivating a spirit of generosity.
In some regions, Meditation plays a significant role during Buddha Purnima, with practitioners engaging in silent contemplation and reflection on the life and teachings of Buddha. Meditation is not the only way to honor the Buddha’s legacy but also a means of deepening one’s understanding of his teachings and cultivating inner peace and clarity of mind.
Another common way to pay homage to Buddha is to do chanting of Buddhist scriptures, known as sutras. Devotees recite passages from sacred texts such as the Dhammapada, the lotus sutra, or the heart sutra, which contain the core teachings of the Buddha on topics such as impermanence, compassion, and the nature of reality.
The major celebrating countries are mostly based in East, Southeast, and South Asia: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Bhutan, Japan, Mongolia, Myanmar, North Korea, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Other than Asia it can be seen celebrating in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. Among all the countries most of the activities are similar like visiting the Major Buddhist temples/ Vihara, offering flowers, food, candles, and incense.
Some countries also adapted to releasing lantern candles at night and fairs to celebrate the joyous day of the Thrice Blessed Festival (The three important of Buddha’s life).
Nepal: Nepal is one of the major pilgrim places for Buddhists, as Lumbini, Nepal is the birthplace of Buddha. It is celebrated on the full moon day of May by the Newari people, especially the Shakya clan where Gautuma Buddha was born. Buddha Purnima is not only the day when he was born but also the day he achieved his Awakening and Mahaparinirvana.
Buddhists in Nepal visit the Vihara to offer milk porridge to recall the episode of Sujata, a maiden who offered Buddha a bowl of milk porridge along with prayers and candles, attracting pilgrims from Nepal along with other regions of the world, who come to pay their respects and celebrate the occasion.
Bangladesh: In Bangladesh, Buddha Purnima also shows great importance and is celebrated in a very similar way as in India and Nepal, especially in the Chittagong hills. The Buddhist temples are decorated with colorful decorations and candles by the Monks and priests.
In the temples, Buddhist monks also spread the Dharma and the five precepts (Panchashila), Buddhists then attend a congressional inside the monastery where the chief monk delivers a speech discussing the Buddha and the Three Jewels (tri-ratna), and about living the ideal life.
On that day they also hold large fairs around the temples and Viharas, selling native food (largely vegetarian food), clothes, and toys, with performances of Buddha’s life also present.
Japan: Unlike other countries, Japan celebrates Hana Matsuri or Kanbutsue on the occasion of Buddha Purnima on the 8th of April every year. As it is called Hana Matsuri means “Flower Festival '' most tourists mistake this day for the flower festival, but who knows Buddha Purnima as Kanbutsue means “Buddha bathing party” has some idea of it.
Despite being a confidential festival in Japan it is still considered a national holiday and celebrated all over Japanese temples except for Nichiren school-based temples. On the Hana Matsuri day, a small aedicule, named Hana-mido (Flower Pavilion) is placed in front of the temple’s important hall.
The Hana-Mido is supposed to represent the Shakyamuni Buddha, as he appeared at birth, in the form of a miniature adult, standing, the left hand towards the ground and the right towards the sky to symbolize the unity of the world.
The bowl where Shakyamuni Buddha is standing in the Hana-Mido is filled with ama-cha (Literal meaning: Sweet Tea, made with Hydrangea Dried leaves) that worshippers pour on the statue’s head with a ladle. This tradition was adapted from China in the 7th century by the Imperial Court.
Buddha Purnima is a joyous occasion that celebrates the life, teachings, and enlightenment of the Buddha. It is a time for reflection, meditation, and acts of kindness, as believers and devotees pay homage to the enlightened one and strive to embody his teachings in their daily lives.
May the spirit of Buddha Purnima inspire us all to walk the path of awakening and liberation, spreading peace and compassion whenever we go.
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