16 May 2022

Buddha Poornima or Buddha Jayanti marks the birth of Gautam Buddha. Celebrated on full-moon day in the month of Vaisakha as per the Buddhist and Hindu calendars, it is considered as one of the most important days for the followers of Buddhism as Siddharth Gautam- born as Prince, gained salvation under the Mahabodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar on this day.

After Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment, he gave his first sermon in Sarnath in the state of Uttar Pradesh. A fair is organised in Sarnath to celebrate this day. The followers of Buddha visit temples, usually dressed in white, light candles and incense sticks, and distribute kheer or milk porridge as a part of the celebration. It is believed that a woman follower named Sujata had offered kheer to Buddha on his birthday. Hence, the custom of distributing kheer on this day is followed.

As a part of the rituals, the Buddhists visit pagodas and pour water at the roots of the tree in order to honour Buddha’s enlightenment. Sermons are held in the temples to teach Buddha’s life and spread his message of compassion towards all living beings.

Buddha Poornima is observed as an auspicious day across the world.  In South and Southeast Asian countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Singapore, North and South Korea, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Nepal, it is celebrated as Vesak honouring both- the death and enlightenment of Buddha.

In the western countries like USA, Australia, Canada, and Brazil, Buddha Poornima is celebrated in varied forms as the beliefs of the followers in these countries differ to certain extent.

 

 

Photo Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Gautama_Buddha_teac