Buddha Purnima

Denoted with the several names from Vesak to Vesākha, Buddha Purnima, Buddha Jayanti and Vaisakha amongst others, the popularity which the festival to celebrate the birth of Buddha named Buddha Purnima has achieved remains worth notable in the present circumstances. Observed by the believers of Buddhist religion in almost all regions worldwide with the total representation of multiple sects of Buddhists, it is the celebration time to remember the birth of Buddhist spiritual leader and the founder of Buddhism—Gautam Buddha. The celebration is an occasion to remember the Birthday of Buddhist founder and so is it called the Buddha Day as well.

History

It was in the first World fellowship of Buddhist Conference held in Sri Lanka in the year 1950 that unanimous decision was taken to celebrate Vesākha as the Buddha’s birthday worldwide. Observed by almost all Buddhists sects, Buddha Purnima is the vibrant celebration in practice since long time now. This festival is an expression of gratitude and thanksgiving by the followers of Buddha through observing his birth anniversary to showcase respect to the Buddhist religion’s founder.

This festival reminds the believers of Buddhism religion about the most important aspects related to this religion. They include significance of Buddhism as a religion, founder’s birth and the concept of an enlightenment associated with that. Equally does this festival remain a popular one since centuries to remind the passing away of Buddha—the founder of Buddhism religion and his importance for the humanity.  Celebrated on the full moon of the Vesākha month which usually falls in the April—May month, Buddha Purnima is also famous as Vesākha.

Celebrations

Common celebrations during the Buddha Purnima occasion are programs to observe the meditation schedules besides the important observance of eight precepts that complete key concepts of Buddhism as a religion for the followers. Rest activities are the notable things from making this festival enlivened during which believers of Buddhism as a religion observe the festival through sticking to vegetarian food. Rest activities like bathing the Buddha idol and giving charity make this day special.

Followers of Buddhist religion observe Buddha Purnima as a holy day in countries dominated by the followers of Buddhism. The countries like Sri Lanka, India, Tibet, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and many other South East Asian nations including the Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Indonesia amongst others have sizeable number of Buddhists. Buddhism has flourished in these countries since several centuries. Celebrations on this special day are of the Buddha's Birthday, and so is this day special one to commemorate the Buddha’s enlightenment. It is also meant to remember the death of Buddha on this particular day as an observance of his sacrificing roles.

Importance of Festival

There remains total variance as far as finding exact date of Vesākha is concerned. It is due to the conflicts to use lunar calendars in the multiple traditions in several countries concerned where Buddha Purnima is celebrated with great zeal. It is the time to celebrate and usually remains an important festival for Buddhists anywhere in the world. It is an occasion when most of the followers of Buddhism unite and do remember the contributions of the founder of Buddhism as a religion.

Usually, 5th or 6th of the lunar month is common for the Bun Theravada countries to observe this special occasion in the history of Buddhism as a religion on full moon Uposatha day. Interestingly the Vesākha Day in China and Korea differs and usually falls on the 8th of the 4th month of Chinese lunar calendar according to their custom. That is why the variance of date is well defined in the Gregorian calendar as well. It is notable that celebration remains in the April to May months.

With fast track developments in the world and constant spreading of Buddhism in various parts of the world the significance of Buddha Purnima festival too has seen total increase in various perspectives. The occasion is celebrated according to the local traditions of the various places or countries concerned. The zest of this festival though remains same with a theme to re-impose faith on the philosophy of Gautam Buddha who founded Buddhism.

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