Date of Buddha Purnima2016 to 2021
Buddha Poornima also known as Buddha Jayanti is the most sacred festivals of Buddhist. Buddha Poornima is celebrated in remembrance Lord Buddha. Buddha Poornima, the full moon day in the month of Vaishakh (falling in April or May) commemorates the birth, enlightenment and attainment of Mahasamadhi by Gautama Buddha and serves as a reminder to us all that we carry the same potential within us.
Buddha Purnima 2016 Date:
Saturday 21st May 2016
Buddha Purnima 2017 Date: Wednesday 10th May 2017
Buddha Purnima 2018Date:
Monday 30 April 2018
Buddha Purnima 2019 Date:
Saturday 18th May 2019
Buddha Purnima 2020 Date:
Thursday 7th May 2020
Buddha Purnima 2021 Date: Wednesday 26th May 2021
About Buddha Purnima
Buddha's Birthday the birthday of the Prince Siddhartha Gautama, is a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mahayana Buddhism.The day is marked with mass prayer, sermons on the life of Gautam Buddha, religious, continuous recitation of Buddhist scriptures, griup meditation, processions, symposia and worship of the statue of Buddha.The Mahabodhi Temple wears a festive look and is decorated with colourful flags and flowers.The Chinese scholar, Fa-Hien, has recorded celebration of this festival.
Like all other Buddhist festivals it falls according to the Lunar year.He attained 'Nirvan' or enlightenment on this day, beneath the Bodha Gaya.Forty-five years later, at the age of eighty, he finally passed away , on the same day of the year at Kushinagar as these are the holy places that were associated with births, enlightenment of the blessed ones.Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal , Japan and quite a number of western Buddhists participate in religious activities on Vaisaka Purnima Day in a festive mood.Sarnath the capital of Buddhism too celebrates Vaisaka Purnima day in a grand way.
Significance of Buddha Purnima
It is significant to give a brief description on the Buddhist festivals in India, specially at the main places of worship.The principal annual ceremony for the Buddhists is the Vaisaka Purnima, known in Sri Lanka as Wesak festival, and in India as Buddha Jayanti.Vaisakha, which falls in April May.
Celebration Buddha Poornima
The main celebrations of Buddha jayanti takes place in Bodh gaya.On this large number of Buddhist devotees from all over the world assemble to pay their respectful homage to Lord Buddha. Besides decorating the temple and area around with colorful Buddhist flags, the
morning prayer, colorful procession of the Monks, worship with large offerings, distribution of sweets and snacks takes place.
In other places Prayers, sermons and non-stop recitations of Buddhist scriptures resonate in monasteries, religious halls and homes. On this day the Buddhists bathe and wear only white clothes. People offer incense, flowers, candles and fruits to the statue of Lord Buddha. They spend their entire day listening to discourses on the life and teachings of the Buddha.
morning prayer, colorful procession of the Monks, worship with large offerings, distribution of sweets and snacks takes place.
In other places Prayers, sermons and non-stop recitations of Buddhist scriptures resonate in monasteries, religious halls and homes. On this day the Buddhists bathe and wear only white clothes. People offer incense, flowers, candles and fruits to the statue of Lord Buddha. They spend their entire day listening to discourses on the life and teachings of the Buddha.
History of Buddha Poornima
Around 500 B.C., King Shuddhodhana and Queen Mayadevi had a son named Siddharta. It is believed that the pundits (bramhin priests) prophesied that the prince will be disenchanted by the tragedies and sorrow of the world. Whereby, he will forsake everything and go in search of the 'true wisdom'. Because of this prophesy, the king had kept the prince trapped in the four walls of the palace. In the palace, the prince was given all luxuries and comforts that one can need till 29 years of age. Then one day he convinced his charioteer to take him beyond the walls. When he went out, he was flabbergasted by the tyranny that humankind faced. He was so disturbed that he left his family and all comforts to seek the meaning of life. Years later he had finally found what he sought. It is believed that beneath a Bodhi-tree at Bodh Gaya he received his enlightenment. He formulated his teachings and eventually had hundreds of believers following them. After the age of eighty, he was said to have attained 'nirvana' in his demise. The three major events of his life: birth, enlightenment and demise, occurred on a full moon night. This night is known as the Vaisaka Purnima or simply Buddha Jayanti.
