Buddha Purnima is celebrated to remark the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha later called as Lord Buddh, the founder of Buddhism. Buddha Purnima is the biggest festival of Buddhist community that is celebrated with great fervour and festivity. This day is celebrated in accordance of the full moon day of Vaishakha month as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar. Buddhists all over the word celebrate this auspicious day by following some rituals and offering prayers to the Lord.
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About Lord Buddha
Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautam in 563/480 BCE in Lumbini (now in Nepal). He was raised in Kapilvastu, which is now Tilaurkot in Nepal. At the age of 35, he attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya (in India). He had given his first sermon after enlightenment in Sarnath, in India and passed away at the age of 80 in the district of Kushinagar in India. His teachings were based on renouncing the worldly pleasures to become a holy man and promote world peace and harmony.
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Worldwide Celebrations
Buddha Purnima is celebrated worldwide to remark the essence of Buddhism on this day. In the present time, this festival is celebrated all over the world. Many countries like Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, China and India declare this day as Public Holiday and commemorate with different cultures and ethnicity. The celebrations of Buddha Purnima even take place in some western countries like US and Australia also.
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Worshipping Lord Buddha in India
People in India who follows Buddhism usually visit to common Viharas to start the celebration. Followers dress up in white and renounce the non-vegetarian food on this day. According to the legend, Gautam Buddha was offered bowl of Kheer, a dish prepared with cow’s milk and rice, by a woman names Sujata. Hence, Buddhist followers on this day consume and distribute Kheer to others. Bodhi Tree is decorated with flags and flowers, lights are lit up around the tree and holy water is poured on the roots of the tree. Holy sermons of Lord Buddha are also recited by the followers to attain peace and salvation.
Buddha Purnima is about adopting the teachings of Lord Buddha that basically stands for peace, harmony and non-violence. It is about praying with the purest feelings for the betterment of the mankind.