February 21, 2022

Essay on Buddha Purnima | Why Do We Celebrate Budhha Purnima?

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Essay on Buddha Purnima

Why Do We Celebrate Budhha Purnima?

Buddha Purnima is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and joy across the world. It is also known as Buddha-Janma Kalyanak, Buddha Poornima, Buddha Jayanti or Vaisakhi. It falls on a full moon day in Vaishakh month according to the Hindu calendar every year. It is believed that Gautam Buddha was born on this day almost 2,550 years ago. His real name was Siddhartha Gautam. He was an epitome of peace and non-violence. To commemorate the birthday and the enlightenment of Lord Buddha, this day is celebrated with pomp and show.

About Gautama Buddha

Gautama Buddha was born and brought up in Lumbini (Nepal). He had been living a normal life till he felt the sufferings and pains of others. At the age of 30, he abdicated everything, sat under a banyan tree, concentrated for 49 days till he attained enlightenment. Having been enlightened, he started preaching about people about doing their duty, being kind to others and living in harmony.

How do people celebrate Buddha Purnima?

This day is celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus all over the world. It is a major festival in countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia and Singapore where there is a presence of Buddha’s devotees and followers. Every country celebrates the festival differently. In India, Buddhist people go to a monastery and offer their prayers. They also listen to sermons and recite scriptures and meditate in groups.

People in China remember Buddha by lighting incense and offering food to the monks. They also wash the statue of Buddha in temples and light lanterns there. On 8th April every year, people in Japan celebrate this festival by pouring ama-cha (herbal tea) on small statues of Buddha adorning it with flowers. Those small statues are called baby Buddha.

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