Buddha Purnima: When & Why Buddha Purnima is Celebrated?

Guwahati, 5 May: Buddha Purnima is celebrated on May 5 commemorate the 258th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha also known as Mahatma Budha. The full moon started at 11.44 pm on the night of May 4 and will end at 11.03 pm on May 5.

Gautama Buddha was born on the day of vesak. That is why ‘Buddha Purnima’ is celebrated on this day. This time there will be a lunar eclipse on the day of Buddha Purnima. The first lunar eclipse of 2023 will begin at 8.44 pm on Friday and end at 1.03 am. People who follow Buddha and Buddhists living in every corner of the world worship Gautama Buddha. Buddha Purnima is celebrated every year on the day of vesak.

The story of The Life of Gautambuddha is associated with Buddha Purnima. Siddhartha Gautama was born in the house of King Sudhodhan and Queen Maya of the Shakya clan. At the time of the birth of Siddhartha Gautama it was predicted that he would become a great ruler or a monk when he grew up. Fearing of losing his son, Gautama Buddha’s father kept him away from the realities of the world for 29 years. Coming out of the Royal Palace for the first time, Gautama Buddha saw an old man, a sick man and a dead man. Then he understood the pain and sorrow of life. Soon after, he left his old life and went on meditation to gain knowledge.

Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment or nirvana under the Bodhi tree. Later, Gautama Buddha travelled from place to place, explaining nirvana to the people and he died at the age of 80.

Buddhism is based on the principles of peace, non-violence and unity. Buddha Purnima Day is celebrated to honour Gautama Buddha who has overcome birth and death. On the day of Buddha Purnima, worship and meditation are performed in temples and Buddhist monasteries. On this day a vessel is filled with water and flowers and placed in front of Buddhadev and devotees offer honey, candles, fruits and flowers. In many countries, devotees also liberate caged birds, animals and insects to express a sense of liberation.

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