Buddha Purnima 2022: Buddha Purnima celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, the world’s fourth-largest religion. According to the Hindu calendar, the first full moon of the month of Vaishakh is celebrated across the world as the birth anniversary of Lord Gautam Buddha. This year Lord Buddha’s birthday is falling on Monday, May 16.
Buddhists around the world celebrate this day with enthusiasm and gaiety. They also gather to chant mantras, meditate, offer prayers in temples and give alms to the poor.
Buddha Purnima is one of the major days of the Buddhist community. It is said that Lord Buddha was born on the day of Vaishakh Purnima. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Vikram Samvat, the date varies every year. This year, Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is celebrated on 16 May. Let us look at the timing, history, significance and methods of celebrating the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha.
Buddha Purnima 2022: Date and Time
Buddha Purnima falls on the full moon date of Vaishakh month of Hindu calendar. According to the Drik Panchang, the full moon date will start at 12:45 pm on May 15 and will be effective till 9:43 am on May 16.
Buddha Purnima 2022: History
The day is celebrated to mark the birth of one of the greatest spiritual leaders – Lord Buddha. The Lord, commonly known as Gautama Buddha, was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in 623 BCE. In Lumbini, which is currently in Nepal according to UNESCO. He took the path of spirituality and went to different places across the world to spread knowledge and peace. Every year on the day of Vaishakh Purnima, the devotees of Lord Buddha celebrate his birthday with great enthusiasm.
Gautam Buddha was a philosopher, spiritual guide, religious leader and meditator. It is believed that he meditated continuously for 49 days under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar after which he attained enlightenment. Through his long meditation, he tried to find a secret to end the ‘suffering’. Later, he explained that the way to end suffering and sins lies in the Four Noble Truths, which are the essence of his teachings.
Gautam Buddha is also the founder of Buddhism and he taught the world the lessons of dharma, non-violence, harmony, kindness, the path of nirvana.
Buddha Purnima 2022: Significance
Buddha Purnima holds great significance for Buddhist communities around the world. The day is celebrated to honor Gautam Buddha, who believed in spreading the word ‘Karma’ and attained liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Buddha Purnima 2022: Celebrations
Not only in India, this day is celebrated in many parts of the world including Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, Tibet, Nepal and Mongolia. People from all over the world celebrate this day by visiting monasteries. They pray to the Lord, chant verses, meditate, fast and remember the teachings of Lord Buddha.