7 Lessons to learn from Budhha Purnima | Buddha Purnima: Relevance of Buddha's Teachings

Buddha Purnima is an auspicious festival that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. Observed on the full moon day of the month of Vaisakha, usually in April or May, it is celebrated by Buddhists and believers of Buddha all over the globe.

Here are seven points explaining the significance of Buddha Purnima:

 

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1. Meaning of Buddha Purnima: Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak Day or Buddha Jayanti, is derived from the word 'Buddha', meaning 'enlightened one', and 'Purnima', meaning full moon day. The day holds great importance as it marks the life, teachings, and death of Gautama Buddha.

2. Life and teachings of Gautama Buddha: Gautama Buddha, born in Lumbini, Nepal, in 563 BCE, is considered a key figure in the history of Buddhism. After years of spiritual practice and meditation, he attained enlightenment at the age of 35 under the bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. His teachings on compassion, wisdom, and non-violence have had a profound impact on millions of people worldwide.

3. Significance of Buddha Purnima: The celebration of Buddha Purnima is an opportunity for Buddhists to pay homage to the Buddha, reflect on his teachings, and renew their commitment to the path of enlightenment. It is a day to promote world peace, non-violence, and harmony among all beings.

4. Practices on Buddha Purnima: Two essential practices on Buddha Purnima are meditation and giving. Meditation helps cultivate inner peace, clarity, and insight, while giving, or dana, helps cultivate generosity and compassion. Buddhists often meditate on this day, and they may also make donations to charity or give food to the poor to honor the Buddha's teachings.

5. Reflection and self-improvement: Buddha Purnima is also a time for reflection and self-improvement. Buddhists may use this day to reflect on their own lives and take vows to follow the Eightfold Path, the path to enlightenment taught by the Buddha. The Eightfold Path consists of right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.

6. Celebration and joy: Along with practices of meditation and giving, Buddha Purnima is also a time for celebration and joy. Buddhists celebrate this day with feasts, processions, prayers, and decorations in homes and temples. In countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Cambodia, Buddha Purnima is a national holiday.

7. Relevance of Buddha's teachings: The teachings of the Buddha continue to have a significant impact on millions of people across the world. His message of compassion, wisdom, and non-violence is more relevant today than ever before. On this auspicious day, Buddhists reflect on the Buddha's teachings and renew their commitment to the path of enlightenment and compassion.

In conclusion, Buddha Purnima is a day of great significance in the Buddhist calendar. It celebrates the life, teachings, and death of Gautama Buddha, and it is a time for Buddhists to reflect, meditate, and give to others. It is a day for celebration, joy, and renewal of the commitment to follow the path of enlightenment and compassion. The teachings of the Buddha have had a profound impact on millions of people worldwide, and they remain as relevant and influential today as they were centuries ago.

 

One of the best book I have read on the life of Budhdha is "Siddhartha" by Author Hermann Hesse.

Happy and blessed Buddha Purnima to you and all your family members! :)