Why is it celebrated?
Every human is blessed with two natures- ordinary nature and the true nature. Ordinary nature is one that includes all the mortal feelings like anger, fear and jealousy while the true nature is the “Buddha nature” that has its own awakening like qualities like kindness, verity, mercy and love. That’s all what the festival of Buddha Purnima (or Buddha Jayanti) conveys to people around the world.
Importance:
Buddha Purnima is the only recognized Buddhist holiday in India. The festival marks the birth anniversary of Buddha in Lumbini where he was born 2500 years ago in a royal family to Mayadevi and Shuddhodana. Siddhartha, as he was known earlier, had a protected life till the age of 29.The four sights- a monk, sick man, old man and a corpse changed his life. He left the riches and practiced self penance in the woods of India. He gained self enlightenment and became “Buddha” from Siddhartha.
This great event occurred in Bodh Gaya under the Bodhi tree. He preached sermons and asked people to give up their desires as they are the main cause of sorrows and could be overcome by following the eight fold path. Buddha attained nirvana-freedom from the cycles of births and rebirths in Kushinagar on the auspicious day of Buddha Purnima.
How is it celebrated?
People visit monasteries, pagodas, render offerings to Buddha’s statue and meditate to remember him. Buddhist chanting creates a spiritual atmosphere and one goes in an enlightened world for that time being.
When is it celebrated?
Celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakh (April or early May) around the world primarily by the Buddhists, disciples of Buddha, Buddha Jayanti is the most sacred and the most prominent of all the Buddhist festivals that marks the celebration of the three vital events in Buddha’s life –his birth, enlightenment and finally nirvana.
Where is it celebrated?
It has its deep rooted belief in the far-east and south-east Asian countries like Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Tibet, Indonesia and Bhutan and celebrated with great enthusiasm in these places as they have a Buddhist majority.