Buddha Purnima 2024: Date, History, Rituals And Significance Along With Wishes Related To Lord Buddha

By Oneindia Staff

Updated: Thursday, May 23, 2024, 15:14 [IST]

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak, is a significant festival celebrated by Buddhists and many Hindus. This day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha and is observed with great enthusiasm in countries like India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tibet, and Bhutan.

Lord Buddha is the founder of Buddhism. In Hinduism, he is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The festival holds immense importance as it reminds people of Buddha's teachings. Devotees believe that taking a holy bath on this day can free them from their sins. Keep reading to know more about this auspicious festival.

Buddha Purnima 2024: Date And Time

This year marks the 2586th Birth Anniversary of Gautama Buddha and it will be observed on Thursday, 23 May 2024. The Purnima Tithi begins at 18:47 on 22 May 2024 and the Purnima Tithi ends at 19:22 on 23 May 2024.

Buddha Purnima 2024: Rituals

Devotees start their day with a holy bath early in the morning. They clean their houses and sprinkle holy water from the river Ganges. Feeding the poor and organising fairs are common practices on this day.

Buddha Purnima 2024: Significance

Buddha Purnima marks the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Gautama Buddha. According to Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, around 563 BCE, as the prince of the Shakya kingdom. His birth heralded the beginning of a transformative journey that would ultimately lead to his enlightenment and the propagation of the Dharma (teachings) for the welfare of humanity.

Celebration of Buddha's Enlightenment: Buddha Purnima also commemorates the day when Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, after years of spiritual seeking and meditation. Known as the "Bodhi Day," this momentous event occurred on the full moon day of Vaishakha, marking the culmination of Siddhartha's quest for truth and liberation from suffering. His enlightenment revealed the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, laying the foundation for Buddhism as a spiritual path to awakening.

Observance of Buddha's Parinirvana: In addition to celebrating Buddha's birth and enlightenment, Buddha Purnima also honors the death (parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha, which is believed to have occurred on the same full moon day in the Vaishakha month, albeit many years later. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha attained parinirvana at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India, transcending the cycle of birth and death and entering into final liberation (nirvana). His passing symbolizes the impermanence of life and the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation.

Buddha Purnima 2024: Celebrations

Hindu devotees take a holy dip in rivers while Buddhist devotees recite scriptures. In Bodh Gaya, people worship Bodhi Trees by lighting lamps and tying colourful garlands around them. Milk and water are poured at the roots of the tree as a mark of respect.

On Buddha Purnima, devout Buddhists often observe the Eight Precepts, which are ethical guidelines aimed at cultivating moral conduct, mindfulness, and spiritual purity. These precepts include abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, intoxicants, eating after noon, engaging in luxurious activities, and sleeping on luxurious beds. Observing the Eight Precepts is considered a way to deepen one's commitment to the path of Dharma (righteousness) and cultivate inner peace and harmony.