Buddha Purnima is celebrated every year to commemorate the day Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment on the full moon day or Purnima Tithi in Bodh Gaya. As per Hinduism, Buddha is believed to be the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu, and this year, the festival will fall on 23rd May.
Buddha Purnima 2024 Date and Time
All About Buddha Purnima 2024
This day is also known as Buddha Jayanti 2024, and it is a celebration of Budhha getting liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth on this day. It is also popularly known as Vesak or Vaisakhi Buddha Purnima. This day arrives on the full moon day of the Vaisakh month, according to the Hindu Panchang. As per the Gregorian calendar, however, this festival occurs either in the month of April or May. This festival is based on the lunisolar calendar used in Asia, and that is why the dates vary each year. The day is celebrated with gusto by both Hindus and Buddhists all around the globe, not just in India.
Lord Buddha Purnima Puja Vidhi
The celebrations of this day are different depending upon the different geographical locations. However, a simple puja vidhi is followed to reap the benefits of this auspicious day. Here are the steps one needs to follow to complete the puja of Lord Buddha-
Wake up early and clean the house on this day.
Take a bath with holy water sprinkled in the bucket of water.
Light candles and use flowers to decorate the entire house.
Draw a Swastika sign with either haldi or roli and kumkum on the entrance of the house. Draw a Swastika in the place of worship as well.
Partake in charitable activities on this day by donating clothes and food to the poor and needy.
Don’t cage any animals. For example, set any caged bird free, liberating it to enjoy its existence on this day.
After it gets dark, look at the moon and perform an arghaya which means pouring water towards the moon.
Astrological Significance of Buddha Purnima
As per astrological sciences, it is believed that Gautam Buddha’s birth chart consisted of the following planetary placements-
Moon placement in Libra
Sun placement in Mars
Ascendant placement in Cancer
All of these placements contributed to his strength of mind and soul. Born during the full moon day or Purnima, Buddha was a natural idealist and hence invested his efforts in seeking the ultimate truth. These planetary combinations in his horoscope made it difficult for him to enjoy worldly pleasures that come with relationships of the earthly realm. It is for these reasons that he chose a path of spirituality and austerity.
Buddha Purnima Significance
Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini (current day Nepal). He was born into the royal family of King Suddhodhan, the ruler of Lumbini. He was the heir to the kingdom and was therefore meant to enjoy all the worldly pleasures as the prince of the state. He lived a comfortable life, learning the ways of the world and preparing to ascend the throne one day. However, growing up, he got to travel, and on one such journey, he chanced upon a sick man, an old man, an ascetic, and a dead body. This was his first encounter with the world of misery and grievances that he was sheltered from up until then. He came to the realization that death was the ultimate truth of life and that all the materialistic pleasures surrounding him were futile.
The harsh reality of the world jolted him, and he became deeply distressed. He thus decided to renounce the crown and his duties as a prince. At 29 years old, Siddhartha left his family and kingdom to look for the answers behind the truth of existence. This festival marks the day when he finally attained the knowledge of life’s difficult questions, attaining enlightenment.
Rituals Associated with Buddha Purnima
The day is celebrated with a great festive spirit and the popular rituals surrounding this festival are listed down below-
People visit the temples and monasteries on this day to participate in ritualistic prayers (including Sutrapath, Panchasheel, Sutrasraban, and Ashtasheel), singing devotional songs to express their joy.
Bodhidroom Mela or fair is organized for four to five days to specially celebrate this day of festivities.
Diyas are lighted around the Bodhi tree or the tree of knowledge, as it is popularly called. People even water the roots of the tree on this day.
People get together to listen to sermons dedicated to Lord Buddha, embracing his teachings with an open heart.
Monks narrate tales from religious scriptures on this day, enlightening the worshippers on the life of Buddha.
People participate in meditation and charitable activities on this day, helping the poor. Yoga retreats are also common during this time as people look for inner tranquility and enlightenment.
Processions are taken out on the streets with the idol of Buddha placed on top of a chariot.
Facts Related to the Life of Lord Buddha
Lord Buddha is the spiritual leader of Buddhists around the world. His life was dedicated to spreading the knowledge he had attained, making this world a better place. Here are some important facts related to him and his life-
Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon in the city of Sarnath and is also known as Shakyamuni or the sage of the Shakyas. He is the “fully Awakened One” in the religion of Buddhism.
He meditated for 49 days under the tree of knowledge in Bodh Gaya and discovered the secret to ending all suffering, emerging as a spiritual leader and guide.
His teachings impart the lessons of non-violence, dharma, and kindness as they reveal the path to Nirvana.
On the occasion of this festival, devotees pay their respects in the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya of Bihar, which has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is the site where Lord Buddha was believed to have attained the knowledge of the ultimate truth.
Legends Associated with Buddha Purnima
On one of his travels beyond the kingdom, Siddhartha was exposed to four sights. These four sights made him privy to the sufferings of humankind. He had a sheltered life up until that point, merely enjoying the comforts of having a royal birth. Watching an old man, a dead body, a sick man, and an ascetic, Siddhartha saw different ways of existence. These experiences proved to be vital in compelling the destined prince to give up a comfortable life within the royal kingdom of Lumbini. He chose to embrace divine knowledge by treading the path of spirituality, leading up to the final step of attaining enlightenment.
The festivities of happy Buddha Purnima are a reminder of Buddha’s sacrifices and his teachings. This day teaches all of us to follow a path of dharma as we attempt to become better versions of ourselves.
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