Buddha Purnima: What, When and Why?
Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is a significant festival for Buddhists worldwide. It celebrates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. This article explores the meaning, celebration, and significance of Buddha Purnima.
What is Buddha Purnima or Buddha Poornima?
Buddha Purnima translates to “Buddha’s Full Moon Day” in Sanskrit. “Purnima” refers to the full moon, and the festival falls on the first full moon day of the Vaisakha month in the Hindu lunar calendar. This typically falls in April or May of the Gregorian calendar.
When is Buddha Purnima Celebrated?
In 2024, Buddha Purnima falls on Thursday, May 23rd. The exact date varies from year to year due to the differences between the lunar and solar calendars.
Why is Buddha Poornima Celebrated?
Buddha Purnima commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who attained enlightenment and became known as the Buddha, meaning “the awakened one.” It is a day to reflect on Buddha’s teachings of peace, compassion, and the path to enlightenment.
Celebrations: Buddhists around the world celebrate Buddha Purnima with prayers, meditations, chanting, and acts of kindness. Temples are decorated with flowers and lights. People may visit temples to offer prayers and participate in special ceremonies. In some regions, processions are held with statues of the Buddha.
Gifting Buddha Idols to Loved Ones:
Giving small Buddha statues as gifts is a popular tradition during Buddha Purnima. These statues serve as a reminder of the Buddha’s teachings and a symbol of peace and serenity in the home.
Popular Poses of Buddha
Buddha statues depict him in various postures, each with a specific meaning:
Blessing Hand (Abhaya mudra): This pose signifies peace, protection, and fearlessness.
Sitting on Lotus (Padmasana): The lotus flower symbolizes spiritual purity, and this posture represents meditation and enlightenment.
Head Resting on Knee (Dhyana Mudra): This pose signifies deep meditation and concentration.
10 Popular Buddha Quotes
Here are ten well-known quotes attributed to the Buddha:
- “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
- “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness can be shared without diminishing one’s own.”
- “The mind is everything. What you think you become.”
- “Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
- “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
- “It is better to travel well than to arrive.”
- “Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.”
- “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”
- “In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how many people you helped along the way.”
- “The way is not in the sky. The way is in your heart.”
By understanding the significance of Buddha Purnima and its traditions, we can appreciate the enduring legacy of the Buddha’s teachings.