Skip to main content

Buddha Purnima Rituals and Celebrations


Buddha Poornima is observed on the full moon day in the month of April or May annually. It celebrates the birth anniversary, death anniversary (Nirvana) and enlightenment of the Lord Buddha on a single day. Buddha Purnima celebration has special importance for the Buddhists followers as the founder of the Buddhism was born, died and attained refinement.
On this notable day, Buddhists across the globe celebrate by following some set of the rituals and the celebrations. Let’s Take a look-
- Buddhism Followers begin the rituals by visiting holy places such as- Monasteries and Buddha Temples nearby where they discern a longer- full-length Buddhist sutra.
- They firmly dressed up in white clothes and offer prayers to the lord with purest of feelings in their hearts.
- Vegetarian food is served to poverty-stricken and especially on this day, non-vegetarian food is not consumed. People prefer ‘Kheer’ to serve as Prasada to practitioners.
- Devotees get themselves involved in the celebrations by listening sermons, stories, preaching’s etc from the Holy Buddhist Scriptures.
- They distribute clothes, money, gifts and other useful products to the necessitous and also offer food to the priests and needful.
- Priests, Monks, Saints, and Nuns pay tribute to the Buddha’s idol by offerings flowers, incense, Candles, Prasad, Milk and Scented- Holy Water and place clay or artificial Diyas around the statue.
- They play spiritual music, Aarti, devotional songs, read Buddhist Holy Scriptures, and engage themselves in religious speeches and discussion.
- Social, Cultural and Religious Ceremonies like Prayer meetings (including Panchasheel, Sutrapath, Ashtasheel, Sutrasraban) and Bodhidroom Mela (Fair) for four and five days to specially celebrate this illustrious festivity.
- They also participate in various meditation operations and Yoga Retreats for the inner satisfaction and self-improvement.
- Carcades and numerous processions are carried out in the local streets and roads with a Buddha Statue on the chariots.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Buddhist Symbols

Buddhist symbols remind us of Buddha's remarkable sermonizing. Inside a Buddha’s Temple- the sanctum-sanctorum is termed as a shrine or a Buddha Hall. Just opposite to this divine room, an altar is placed. There are many beautiful things on the altar. Here we are mentioning some of them.  Buddha Images Peep surmise that Buddhists worship idols and the deities. However, this is untrue; they offer flowers and bow to Buddha in veneration and never worship the idols and the images. By doing so, they pay reverence towards his moralities and are inspired to become like him. Buddha images are not necessary, but they are helpful. The most important thing is to follow the Buddha's teachings.  There are many different kinds of Bodhisattva images that are formulated which showcase different Buddhas' traits. An idol of the Buddha with his hand resting in his lap reminds us to develop calmness within ourselves. However, a statue with the Buddha's right hand touching th

Buddhist Festivals

In Buddhism, there are many festivals commemorated by Buddhists throughout the year. These notable festivities celebrate various events in the lives of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and famous teachers. Umpteen fairs, procession and carcades are organised in the name of Buddha annually.  During these occasions people engage themselves in numerous meditations operations and Yoga Programs. They take refugee and follow the precepts/principles taught by Buddha. Ardent Practitioners also sometimes leave the home life to become saints/monks and nuns. Buddha Poornima Buddha Poornima is observed on the full moon night according to Buddhism Calendar in the Hindu Month of Vaisakh. It celebrates the Birth Day of "Gautama Buddha" every year who was the founder of Buddhism Community. Buddha Purnima is popularly known as- Vesak as it falls in the Vaisakha (Baisakh) Month. In the year 2018, It will be remarked on 29th March. . On this eminent day, Buddhists take part in the ceremonial bat

Buddha Purnima Date & Time 2018

The most notable and distinguished Festival remarked by the Buddhist community is- BUDDHA POORNIMA . Buddha Poornima is observed on the full moon night according to Buddhism Calendar in the Hindu Month of Vaisakh. It celebrates the Birth Day of "Gautama Buddha" every year who was the founder of Buddhism Community. He was famed as the spiritual preacher who shows the path of Enlightenment, Righteousness, and Nirvana to his followers and Practitioners. Buddha Purnima is popularly known as- Vesak as it falls in the Vaisakha (Baisakh) Month. In the year 2018, It will be remarked on 30th April (Monday). On this eminent day, Buddhists take part in the ceremonial bathing of the Buddha and pour rose water on an idol of baby Siddhartha. This symbolizes purifying one's thoughts and actions. They visit the nearby Buddha Temples to pay homage to Buddha. Vegetarian meals are provided for all; and captive animals, such as birds and turtles are set free. This festival brings in jo