Buddha Purnima 2020: All you need to know about Gautam Buddha’s birth anniversary
New Delhi : Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the occasion of birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, creator of Buddhism. It is observed on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakh (April/May) according to the Hindu calendar.
In 2020, the Buddha Purnima will be celebrated on May 7 across the world. In Theravada Buddhism, it is also observed as the day when Buddha, born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563-483 BCE) attained Nirvana (salvation) under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar, as well as his death anniversary.
The Vesak full moon day happens to be one of the most important days in Buddhist calander. Several Buddhists go to the pagodas to pour water at the foot of the sacred tree in remembrance of the Buddha’s Enlightenment.
It is one of the biggest festivals in countries like Sri Lanka (where it is called Vesak), India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia.
In normal scenario, the followers visit temples, light candles and incense sticks, pray and offer sweets and fruits before the statue of Lord Buddha. This year, amid coronavirus pandemic, things will be different and many will celebrate it while staying inside their homes.
People usually dress in white, do not consume non-vegetarian food and distribute kheer, as according to Buddhist lore, on this day a woman named Sujata had offered Buddha a bowl of milk porridge.
Many followers also free caged birds on this day as a symbol of empathy and compassion for all living beings, one of the most important teachings of Lord Buddha.
According to the British Library blog, “Every full moon day is an auspicious day for Buddhists, but the most important of all is the day of the full moon in May, because three major events in the life of the Gotama Buddha took place on this day. Firstly, the Buddha-to-be, Prince Siddhattha was born at Lumbini Grove on the full moon day in May. Secondly, after six years of hardship, he attained enlightenment under the shade of the Bodhi tree and became Gotama Buddha at Bodh Gaya also on the full moon day of May. Thirdly, after 45 years of teaching the Truth, when he was eighty, at Kusinara, he passed away to nibbana, the cessation of all desire, on the full moon day of May.”
