BUDDHA PURNIMA: Celebrating the Life and Teachings of the Enlightened One

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is a major festival celebrated by over 500 million followers of Buddhism around the world. It marks the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death (Mahaparinirvana) of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Gautama Buddha—the founder of Buddhism.

- BY RAVI ROHMETRA

This sacred occasion falls on the full moon day in the month of Vaishakha (April-May) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. The celebration is observed in various countries including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and others. In countries like Taiwan, Buddha's birthday is celebrated on the second Sunday of May.

Historical Background

Siddhartha Gautama was born around 563 BCE in Lumbini, which is located in present-day Nepal. He was the son of King Shuddhodana of Kapilvastu and Queen Maya Devi. Though born into royalty, he renounced his luxurious life at the age of 29 to seek answers to human suffering. After years of asceticism and meditation, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya at the age of 35. He spent the rest of his life spreading his teachings until he passed away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India. Although the exact dates of his birth and death remain uncertain, historians generally agree on the period between 563 BCE and 483 BCE.

Significance and Observances

Buddha Purnima holds special importance as it commemorates all three pivotal events of Buddha’s life—his birth, enlightenment, and death. It is a day for Buddhists and others to reflect upon his teachings, engage in acts of kindness, and spread the message of compassion and peace.