Buddha Jayanti 2024 - Date
➲ 2586th Birth Anniversary of Gautama Buddha
➲ 30, Vaishakha
➲ Shukla Paksha, Purnima
➲ 2081 Pingala, Vikrama Samvata
➲ Buddha Purnima on Thursday, May 23, 2024
➲ Purnima Tithi Begins - 06:47 PM on May 22, 2024
➲ Purnima Tithi Ends - 07:22 PM on May 23, 2024
Buddha Purnima in 2024 is expected to be celebrated on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is a major Buddhist festival that marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the lunar month of Vesakha, which falls in April or May according to the Gregorian calendar.
Lord Buddha is one of the most revered and influential spiritual teachers in history, whose teachings and legacy have had a profound impact on millions of people around the world. Born as Siddhartha Gautama in ancient India, Buddha's teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path have become the foundation of Buddhism, one of the world's major religions. Buddha's life story, teachings, and philosophy continue to inspire people seeking inner peace, enlightenment, and liberation from suffering. In this blog, we will explore the life of Lord Buddha, and his lasting legacy, delving into the profound impact his wisdom has had on individuals and societies throughout history. This will be done by covering the aspects of Birth, Nirvana and Parinirvana of Lord Buddha.
Mandala of Mother Mayadevi and the Birth of Buddha (Brocadeless Thangka)
One of the most significant festivals in the Buddhist calendar, Buddha Purnima or Vesak, commemorates the birthdate of Lord Buddha. In Lumbini, Nepal, about 2,500 years ago, on the full moon day of the Vesakha (April or May) month, Buddha is said to have been born. Scholars disagree on the actual day of his birth, but Vesak is traditionally observed on the full moon day of the month of Vesakha, which is between late April and early May.
The profound spiritual insights that Buddha would eventually come to represent are reflected in the rich symbolism and meaning that Buddha's birth story is rife with. Before she became pregnant with Siddhartha, his mother Queen Maya, who was wed to King Suddhodana of the Shakya clan, reportedly dreamed of a white elephant entering her womb. This dream was interpreted as a prophecy that she would become the mother of a great spiritual figure who would put an end to human suffering.
When the time came for Siddhartha to be born, Queen Maya travelled to Lumbini, where she gave birth to him in a garden under a sal tree. It is reported that when he left her womb, he took seven steps in each of the four cardinal directions and declared, "I am the head of the world, the oldest in the world, and the foremost in the world. This birth marks the final. There is no longer any coming into being.
Siddhartha developed a keen interest in spiritual matters at a young age and was driven to discover the way to be freed from suffering. He gave up the opulent lifestyle he had as a prince and set out on the road as an ascetic, searching for the truth in the teachings of various spiritual teachers. Under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, he eventually obtained enlightenment and learned the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which would later serve as the cornerstone of his teachings. Buddha's teachings swiftly expanded beyond of India, encouraging countless people to go within for wisdom, compassion, and tranquilly. His legacy has had a significant influence on the world, helping to shape Buddhist culture, ethics, and philosophy while also motivating countless people to follow the path of enlightenment.
Buddhists all across the world now observe Buddha Purnima or Vesak as a day of reflection, compassion, and meditation. It is a time to remember the Buddha's teachings and to recommit to the road leading to the end of suffering. Buddhists frequently congregate in temples and monasteries to pray, chant sutras, and engage in deeds of generosity and goodwill. Vesak serves as a reminder of the Lord Buddha's enduring wisdom and compassion, whose teachings continue to direct and inspire us on the road to spiritual development and freedom.
Nirvana Buddha Under the Tree of Life In Brass
The ultimate objective of Buddhist practise is nirvana, which is the condition of being free from pain and the cycle of rebirth. It is frequently linked to the teachings and life of the historical Buddha, who is claimed to have gained nirvana after years of contemplation and spiritual search. The Sanskrit word "nir-vana," which meaning "blowing out" or "extinguishing," is where the name "nirvana" originates. The three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion, which are the main contributors to misery and rebirth in the cycle of samsara, must be eliminated, according to Buddhist philosophy. Nirvana is therefore viewed as the highest state of serenity, liberation, and enlightenment, where one is free from the constraints and conflicts of the material world.
Nirvana, according to Buddhist teachings, is a realisation of the actual nature of reality and the self rather than a location or a state that can be obtained by using external methods. It is a mental condition devoid of all duality, including good and evil, oneself and others, and existence and nonexistence. It is a condition of total present-moment presence and unwavering acceptance of what is, where one is in a state of complete awareness and tranquilly. At the age of 35, the Buddha is said to have attained nirvana after years of searching for the truth through various spiritual disciplines. He came to see that the Middle Way, a path of moderation and balance between the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-denial, was the true way to freedom rather than excessive asceticism or self-mortification. He found the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths, which offer a methodical route to achieving nirvana and putting an end to suffering.
Nirvana is sometimes portrayed as an unending bliss or calm in Buddhist teachings, but it's vital to understand that it is not a constant state of being, just as it is not a state of being or nonexistence. Rather, it is a pure potentiality and possibility, a state of awareness that is beyond all concepts and restrictions. Although nirvana is regarded as the pinnacle of Buddhist practise, the path does not end at nirvana. Instead, it marks the start of a new phase in one's spiritual growth, during which time one is able to embody and express the virtues of liberty, compassion, and knowledge in all facets of life. All who are willing to follow the path of spiritual practise can achieve this state of being, and it serves as a reminder of the limitless potential and freedom that each of us possesses.
In conclusion, the idea of nirvana, which stands for the ultimate objective of escape from pain and rebirth, is fundamental to Buddhist theory and practise. It is a mental state of unadulterated awareness and tranquilly that transcends all dualities and restrictions. Nirvana is the goal of the Buddhist path, but it also serves as a reminder of the unbounded potential and freedom that each of us possesses.
In Buddhism, the last demise or death of the Buddha is referred to as parinirvana. The ceremony, which commemorates the end of the Buddha's bodily existence and his full emancipation from the cycle of birth and death, is one that is widely observed as a moment of great significance by Buddhists. The Sanskrit phrase "pari-nirvana," which meaning "complete extinction" or "final release," is where the name "parinirvana" originates. The Buddha's transition into a state of total and permanent emancipation from the cycle of samsara—a cycle of birth and death marked by suffering and impermanence—is what is meant by this phrase.
After a long and distinguished career as a teacher and spiritual guide, the Buddha entered parinirvana at the age of 80, according to Buddhist legend. He has spent more than 40 years imparting his wisdom to people from all walks of life, encouraging countless numbers of them to start practising their spirituality. Buddhist traditions depict the Buddha's entry into parinirvana as a calm, tranquil occurrence characterised by a sense of great equanimity and detachment. His disciples and other followers, who were profoundly impacted by the breadth of his wisdom and compassion, are claimed to have been present as he died while lying on his right side.
The Buddha's entry into parinirvana, which marked the conclusion of his teachings and the achievement of ultimate escape from pain and rebirth, is a significant turning point in Buddhist history. It serves as a timely reminder to Buddhists everywhere of the transience of all things and the significance of pursuing spiritual enlightenment and freedom in this lifetime.
In conclusion, the idea of parinirvana is an important part of Buddhist doctrine and practise, signifying the Buddha's ultimate demise and the achievement of total escape from the cycle of samsara. The Buddha's teachings reached their zenith at this time, and it served as both the impetus for countless people to start their journey towards spiritual practise.
Best Places to Observe Buddha Purnima in India
➊ Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
➋ Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh
➌ Sravasti, Uttar Pradesh
➍ The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, Bihar
➎ Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
➏ Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
➐ Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh
➑ Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
➒ Mindrolling Monastery, Dehradun
Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death (parinirvana) of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is one of the most significant Buddhist festivals, and Buddhists all around the world observe it.
Buddha Purnima is unique in that it is celebrated on the day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Vaisakha, which often falls in April or May. As a result, its date might change from year to year, making it an evolving festival.
There are various things you can do to honour the life and teachings of Lord Buddha on Buddha Purnima. Buddhist temples allow visitors to pray, meditate, give to charities, and take part in Dharma presentations and discussions.
Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death are commemorated on Buddha Purnima, which represents the cycle of reincarnation and the achievement of ultimate enlightenment and freedom from suffering. Buddha Purnima is a celebration that highlights the value of kindness, compassion, and nonviolence as well as the victory of good over evil and the achievement of enlightenment.
Buddha Purnima is regarded as lucky since it is thought that any good activities carried out on this day result in great benefits and good karma. Due to the widespread belief that the Buddha's beneficial energy and blessings are abundant on this day, Buddha Purnima is regarded as auspicious.
Buddha Purnima instills in us a variety of virtues like kindness, non-violence, mindfulness, and knowledge. The Buddha's teachings also stress the significance of leading a straightforward, moral, and upright life.
The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path serve as the foundation for the Buddha Purnima teachings. Buddhism is based on the Four Noble Truths, which state that suffering exists, that craving and attachment are the root causes of suffering, that there is a way to end suffering, and that this path is the Noble Eightfold Path. Right knowledge, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration make up the Noble Eightfold Path.
Key Takeaways
1. The Buddha was born in Nepal in 563 BCE and lived a life of luxury before renouncing his wealth and pursuing spiritual enlightenment.
2. The Buddha's teachings revolve around the Four Noble Truths, which outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation from it.
3. Nirvana is the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, representing the attainment of complete liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
4. The Buddha passed into parinirvana at the age of 80, marking the culmination of his teachings and the attainment of ultimate liberation from suffering and rebirth.
5. The Buddha's teachings have inspired countless individuals to pursue spiritual awakening and liberation, making Buddhism one of the world's major religions.
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