Buddha Purnima 2024: Date, Timings, History, Significance, Teachings And Quotes On Vesak

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is a significant festival celebrated in the Purnima Tithi (Full Moon day) in Vaishakh month by Buddhists and Hindus around the world. This day is also called Buddha Jayanti. Buddha Purnima marks the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu the founder of Buddhism. Buddha was a spiritual teacher on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. According to scriptures, if on the day of Buddha Purnima, a water-filled pot and food are donated, it earns the same merit as donating a cow. On this day, one should recite the Satyanarayan Katha at home and offer lotus flowers to Goddess Lakshmi during the night. It is said to bring prosperity to wealth.

Buddha Purnima 2024: Date & Time

It is believed to be the 2586th Birth Anniversary of Gautama Buddha. This year, Buddha Purnima (Vesak) or Buddha Jayanti will be celebrated on Thursday, May 23rd.

• Purnima Tithi Begins - May 22, 2024 - 06:47 PM
• Purnima Tithi Ends - May 23, 2024 - 07:22 PM

(Source: drikpanchang)

Buddha Purnima History

The Buddha's story began in Lumbini, Nepal, about 2,500 years ago. Legend says that when Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born, he took seven steps, and a lotus flower bloomed with each step. Buddhists celebrate this on Buddha Purnima as his birth.

His enlightenment, called nirvana, is seen as the most important event. According to Buddhist writings, he meditated under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, and achieved enlightenment. Buddhists worldwide mark this by meditating, praying, and being kind to others.

Kushinagar is believed to be where the Buddha died, known as Parinirvana. His passing is seen as his final escape from the cycle of life and death. On Buddha Purnima, Buddhists recite sutras, offer flowers and incense, and visit temples to remember these events. Happy Buddha Purnima wishes and quotes to share.

Buddha Purnima Significance

Buddha Jayanti is one of the most auspicious Buddhist, joyous events in honour of Gautama Buddha, the ¡®Enlightened One¡¯ who has transcended ¡®Karma¡¯, and got liberated from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Gautama delivered his first sermon in Sarnath. Also known as Shakyamuni (Sage of the Shakyas), Tathagata, is considered the ¡®Fully Awakened One¡¯.

Buddha preached ¡®Dharma¡¯, non-violence, harmony, kindness, path to ¡®nirvana¡¯ for 45 years. Buddhism is founded on the Lord Buddha¡¯s teachings, a compilation named ¡®suttas¡¯.

He was a phenomenal being ¨C a philosopher, spiritual guide, religious leader, and meditator who attained enlightenment after continuous meditation for 49 days under the Bodhi (banyan) tree in Bodh Gaya; and unravelled the secret to end the ¡®suffering¡¯.

Despite being born into a royal family, He relinquished the luxurious life and left home at the age of 30, leading a life of penance, and austerity, in search of the truth that liberates one from the pangs of suffering (duhkha).

Who was Gautama Budha?

Gautama Buddha, also known as Lord Buddha, founded Buddhism. He was born in a noble family in Southern Nepal around 623 BC. His father was the head of the Shakya Clan, and his mother was a princess. Buddha lived a sheltered life until he saw suffering outside his palace. This inspired him to seek answers. He left his luxurious life to become an ascetic and find solutions to suffering.

Buddha learned meditation techniques from different teachers but found them insufficient. After intense meditation under a bodhi tree, he attained enlightenment and became Buddha, the enlightened one. He then formed a community called the Sangha, starting with his five companions, to spread his teachings.

Buddha spent 49 years travelling around India, teaching dharma and meditation. Kings supported him by providing retreats for the Sangha. He established rules for the Sangha's conduct, which were recited every two weeks.

At the age of 80, Buddha passed away peacefully, advising his followers to rely on themselves and his teachings. After his death, he was honoured with the title "Lord Buddha".

Buddha Purnima 2023: Noble EightFold Path

1. Right Understanding

2. Right Thought

3. Right Action

4. Right Speech

5. Right Mindfulness

6. Right Livelihood,

7. Right Effort

8. Right Concentration

Lord Buddha's Teachings and quotes

• "Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth."
• "Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is a law eternal. Give, even if you only have a little."
• "The mind is everything. What you think you become."
• "Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good."
• "Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without."
• "Let none find fault with others; let none see the omissions and commissions of others. But let one see one¡¯s own acts, done and undone."
• "All that we are is the result of what we have thought."
• "Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer badness with goodness. Conquer meanness with generosity. Conquer dishonesty with truth."
• "Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace."
• "One is not called noble who harms living beings. By not harming living beings one is called noble."

Buddha Purnima FAQs:

Q. How is Vesak celebrated in India?

In India, Vesak is celebrated in various ways depending on the region and local traditions. Here are some common ways in which Vesak is celebrated in India:

Visiting temples: Buddhists visit temples on Vesak to offer prayers and offerings to the Buddha. Many temples are decorated with colorful lights and flowers for the occasion.Meditation and prayer: Buddhists participate in group meditation and prayer sessions to reflect on the Buddha's teachings and to renew their commitment to following the path of enlightenment.Chanting of Buddhist scriptures: Devotees chant the Buddhist scriptures, such as the Dhammapada and the Sutta Pitaka, to seek blessings and inspiration.Offering of food and alms: Buddhists offer food and alms to monks and nuns as a way of showing gratitude and seeking blessings.Acts of kindness and generosity: Vesak is also a time to engage in acts of kindness and generosity, such as donating to charity, helping the needy, and releasing animals into the wild.

Q. Is Buddha Purnima and Vesak same?

Buddha Purnima is one of the most important festivals of Buddhism. It's also known as Vesak, or Buddha Jayanti.

Q. Which country celebrates Vesak?

Vesak is celebrated across the world in the Buddhist Community, including countries in Asia such as: India, Thailand, and North and South Korea.