Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima

This day (full moon of April / May) is celebrated as the birthday of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is a special day for the followers of Buddhism because on this day Lord Buddha was born and attained enlightenment, as well as salvation. The Buddha God is seen as the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

All important occasions related to Buddha are linked together on the full moon day in Vaishakh. In the monasteries of Sikkim, Buddhist monks recite the scriptures in front of the Buddha statue.

People offer incense, flowers, candles, and fruits at the Buddha statue. The Bodhivriksha or Pippal tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment also bears garlands and colorful flags and sprinkles milk and fragrant water on its roots and also light lamps.

This day falls according to the Indian solar calendar in the month of Vaishakh. If you look at the calendar of Tibetans, then it is the full moon day in the fourth month.

On this day, Buddhists wear only white clothes, gather in their viharas and offer alms to the monks. Some people spend their whole day listening to discourses on the life and teachings of the Buddha, or by inviting monks to their homes, they confirm their belief in the Five Principles called Panchsheel which is as follows - not to take life, theft. Not to do, not to lie, not to eat alcohol or other drugs, and not to commit adultery.

On Buddha Purnima, Buddhists eat kheer or rice cooked in milk and sugar and share it with the poor. Some people stall in public places.

Legend has it that in 544 BCE, on the full moon day of Vaishakh, the Buddha's mother, Queen Mahamaya, went from the capital Kapilavastu to her parents' home in Devdah. During the journey, she stopped under the shade of two salty trees in Lumbini, where she gave birth to Buddha.

The child was named Siddhartha, his mother died in his childhood, his stepmother was reared by him. He was married to Princess Yashodhara but no one could change Gautam's mind in search of the truth.

Gautama was a Kshatriya, but he never hunted and instead protected animals and birds.