Buddha Purnima 2023: Buddha Purnima coincides with first lunar eclipse of 2023 | Know significance and history
Buddha Purnima 2023: Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is one of the most important Buddhist festivals celebrated around the world. It marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha, Gautama Siddhartha.
The festival is observed on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Vaisakha, which falls in April or May in the Gregorian calendar. In this article, we will explore the significance and history of Buddha Purnima.
This year, Buddha Purnima coincides with the first lunar eclipse of 2023. In India, the eclipse will begin at 8:44 pm and end at 1:01 am on May 6.
The Significance of Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is a day of great significance for Buddhists as it marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. According to Buddhist tradition, it is believed that the Buddha was born in Lumbini, a small town in Nepal, around 563 BCE. He attained enlightenment at the age of 35 while meditating under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. After attaining enlightenment, he spent the rest of his life spreading the teachings of Buddhism. He died at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India.
Buddha Purnima is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by Buddhists around the world. On this day, people visit Buddhist temples and monasteries to offer prayers and participate in various religious rituals. They also light candles and incense sticks, chant Buddhist scriptures, and meditate in honor of the Buddha. The festival is also celebrated with feasts and charitable acts such as donating to the poor and the needy.
The History of Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima has a long and rich history dating back to ancient times. According to Buddhist texts, Emperor Ashoka, who ruled over a vast empire in ancient India, played a crucial role in popularising the festival. Ashoka was a devout Buddhist and is credited with spreading Buddhism throughout India and other parts of the world. He also ordered the construction of numerous Buddhist stupas and monasteries across the country.
It is believed that Ashoka held the first Buddha Purnima celebrations in the 3rd century BCE. He organised grand processions and distributed gifts to the poor and the needy. The festival gained popularity in India and other parts of Asia and eventually spread to other parts of the world.
Today, Buddha Purnima is celebrated with great fervor in Buddhist countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Tibet. In these countries, the festival is a public holiday, and people participate in various religious and cultural activities to honor the Buddha.
In conclusion, Buddha Purnima is a festival of great significance for Buddhists around the world. It celebrates the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha and serves as a reminder of his message of peace, compassion, and non-violence. The festival is a time for reflection, prayer, and meditation and offers an opportunity to renew our commitment to the path of enlightenment.
- PTC NEWS
