Celebrating Buddha Purnima by Preaching Faith

AGRITA CHHIBBER

The festival of Buddha Jayanti, also known as Vaisakhi Buddha Purnima, Vesak, or Buddha Purnima, is held to honor the birth of the Buddha.

Buddha Purnima is a significant Buddhist and Hindu holiday that is enthusiastically observed throughout South East Asia, including Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, and Indonesia. It is also celebrated in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet.

On a full moon day, the Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima occurs. The Hindu month of Vaisakh is significant because it is regarded as the most auspicious month in the Hindu calendar. Based on the lunisolar calendar of Asia, Buddha Purnima occurs on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaisakh. The Buddha Purnima holiday is being observed this year on Thrusday, May 23rd.

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Every full moon day is lucky for the Buddhist community, but the full moon in May is considered to be the most significant of them all, according to the British Library Blog. It’s because three crucial moments in Gautama Buddha’s life occurred on this day. Prince Siddhattha, the future Buddha, was first born at Lumbini Grove on a full moon day in May.

Second, he became Gautama Buddha at Bodh Gaya, which also happens to be on the day of the May full moon, after six years of adversity, under the protection of the Bodhi tree. Thirdly, at the age of 80, at Kusinara, he died to Nibbana—the cessation of all desire—after 45 years of teaching the Truth.

Buddha Purnima is considered to be a very important day in the life of any spiritual aspirant in the yogic culture. We named it after Gautama the Buddha today in remembrance of him.

Celebrating Buddha Purnima — Photo by Suraphat Nuea-on on Pexels.com

The day of Buddha’s enlightenment, Buddha Purnima, is celebrated. Gautama had lost a great deal of strength after nearly eight years of extremely body-destructive work.

He was a Samana and had been for four years. A Samana’s primary sadhana consisted of walking and fasting without ever looking for food. His body was virtually damaged to the brink of death by this. He then arrived at the Niranjana River, which, like many other rivers in India today, has dried up and vanished.

According to Hindu ideology, Buddha is hailed as the ninth Vishnu avatar (reincarnation), a philosopher, spiritual teacher, religious leader, and guiding spirit. He was a Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) native who gave up worldly, materialistic pleasures to follow his spiritual calling.

He was born about 563 BC. After 49 days of diligent and ongoing meditation under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The principles and teachings of Gautam Buddha serve as the foundation for the Buddhist faith.

Gautama Buddha became the guiding principle of those around him by preaching Dharma, nonviolence, peace, and kindness. His teachings outline a solution to the world’s problems with hatred and war.

Buddha Purnima 2023 Date And Tithi Timing

This day occurs on the Full Moon or Purnima of the Hindu Vaishakh month. Hence, Buddha Poornima is quite famous as Vesak in East-Asian countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, China, and Korea.

Buddha Purnima: May 5, 2023, Friday
Purnima Tithi Starts: 11:44 PM on May 04, 2023
Purnima Tithi Ends: 11:03 PM on May 05, 2023

Benefits of Buddha Purnima

Gautam Buddha is the real teacher you should follow if you want to achieve a level of bliss or mental tranquilly. He demonstrated to the world the stark contrast between luxury and simplicity. We suffer as a result of our strong attachment to materialistic pleasures. If you want to welcome serenity in your life this Vesak, attempt to follow the “Eightfold Path”. To fully observe Buddha Purnima, upholding the Eightfold Path is crucial.

Right View or Awareness – Knowing the truth
Right Intention – Freeing your mind of ill thoughts
Right Speech – Avoid hurting others
Right Action – Work for the benefit of others
Right Livelihood – Maintaining ethics in life
Right Efforts – Abstain from evil
Right Mindfulness – Practicing meditation
Right Concentration – Balance your thoughts

People who are experiencing the negative effects of Saturn Sade Sati should continue to follow the Eightfold Path in addition to reciting other particular mantras. You’ll be able to relax mentally and feel more confident in all areas of your life as a result.

Buddha Purnima Rituals

Buddha Jayanti signifies calmness and asks us to lead a simple and truthful life as followed by Gautam Buddha. Follow the below rituals on Buddha Poornima:

Buddha Purnima is all about truth, humanity, and liberation. Hence one should liberate caged birds and animals during Vesak or Buddha Purnima celebrations.
Embellish Bodhi tree with flowers and flags, and place lighted lamps around it.
Pouring holy water on the roots of the tree, pray for inner peace.
Practising meditation is considered auspicious on this day.
Recite the holy teachings based on Gautam Buddha’s life.
Offer flowers, and light candles in front of the Lord’s idol, and pay your reverence.
Maintain purity by wearing white clothes on this day.
Donate clothes and serve Kheer (sweet rice porridge) to the needy.
Maintain vegetarianism on this day.

You should follow the five principles also known as ‘Panchsheel’ on the day of Buddha Purnima, which are as follows:

Not to Take Life
Not to Rob
Not to Lie
Not to Consume Alcohol
Not to Commit Infidelity

Effective Buddha Purnima Mantra

Chanting this magnificent Buddha Mantra in the early morning between 4 AM to 7 AM is highly beneficial:

Om Mani Padme Hum

Meaning:

‘Om’ is a sacred symbol and the Supreme element of nobility that controls one’s ego
‘Ma’ signifies morals and purifies one’s jealousy
‘Ni’ represents patience that controls one’s desires
‘Pad’ represents dedication and purifies one’s ignorance
‘Me’ means renunciation and controls one’s greed
‘Hum’ represents wisdom and lessens one’s aggression

Wish you all a very Happy Buddha Jayanti!

[Agrita Chhibber is from Jammu]

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