Buddha Purnima 2024: Buddha Purnima, or Buddha Jayanti, commemorates the birth of Prince Siddharta Gautama, who later became the Buddha and founded Buddhism. ‘Purnima’ means ‘full moon’ in Sanskrit, and the festival is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Vaisakhi according to Hindu and Buddhist lunar calendars. ‘Jayanti’ signifies ‘birthday’.
Also known as Vesak, Buddha Purnima is a significant Buddhist festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. It is observed with great enthusiasm by Buddhists in India and countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The date of Buddha Purnima 2024 changes each year according to the Gregorian calendar, usually falling on a full moon day in April or May. This variation is due to the Asian lunisolar calendars, and in a leap year, the festival can occur in June.
Buddha Purnima 2024
Buddha Purnima, also called Buddha Jayanti, honors the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition and archaeological evidence, Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, between 563 and 483 BCE.
His mother, Queen Maya Devi, gave birth to him on a journey to her ancestral home, while his father, King Śuddhodana, ruled their land. The Mayadevi Temple and its surrounding gardens, along with an Ashoka Pillar from 249 BCE, mark Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini.
Many countries in South East Asia, including Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, and Indonesia, as well as India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, joyfully celebrate Buddha Purnima.
Buddha Purnima 2024 Date
Buddha’s birthday is celebrated in the Vaisakha month of the Buddhist and Hindu calendars, and according to the Vikram Samvat calendar. This celebration is based on the lunisolar calendars of Asia and occurs on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month.
Key historical locations for this event are in present-day India and Nepal. The date changes each year in the Western Gregorian calendar, typically landing in April or May. In 2024, Buddha’s birthday will be observed on May 23.
Buddha Purnima 2024 History
For centuries, Buddha’s birthday wasn’t officially celebrated, but festivals in his honor were common. The formal celebration of Buddha Purnima, however, didn’t start until modern times.
In May 1950, at the first World Fellowship of Buddhists conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Buddha Purnima was officially recognized to be celebrated during Vesak. This date was chosen because Buddha attained nirvana on a full moon day in May.
Vesak has been a traditional celebration for Mahayana Buddhists for many centuries. According to the Theravada Tripitaka scriptures, Gautam Buddha was born in 563 BCE in Lumbini, which is now part of Nepal. The first World Fellowship of Buddhists conference in 1950 decided to officially recognize Vesak as Buddha Purnima.
In 1999, these celebrations were further formalized. Vesak, one of the most important days for Buddhists, marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha, making it a widely celebrated festival.
Buddhism’s popularity grew due to its teachings of non-violence, respect for life, and gender equality. These principles appealed to both traditional and modern values, leading many Asian countries to adopt Buddhism. The philosophy has adapted to various cultures, creating different sub-sects. As a non-theistic belief system, it is inclusive and popular among diverse groups worldwide.
Buddha Purnima 2024 Significance
Buddha Purnima 2024, a significant festival for Buddhists worldwide, celebrates the life, enlightenment, and nirvana of Buddha. It unites people globally to honor Buddha’s teachings, which emphasize wisdom, concentration, and discipline. This festival not only marks important milestones in Buddha’s life but also highlights the enduring relevance of his teachings in today’s world.
Celebrating Buddha Purnima allows individuals to reflect on these timeless principles and their application in modern life, promoting cultural unity and a deeper understanding of universal values.
Is Buddha Purnima 2024 a National Holiday?
No, Buddha Purnima 2024 is not a national holiday. It is a gazetted holiday in India, meaning government offices, post offices, and banks are closed. This holiday is widely observed in regions like Sikkim, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bodhgaya, Spiti district, Kinnaur, and parts of North Bengal, including Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Kurseong. It is also celebrated in Maharashtra, home to 77% of India’s Buddhist population.
On Buddha Purnima, Buddhists gather at Viharas to participate in extended Buddhist sutras, similar to religious ceremonies. Devotees visit Buddha temples to pray, light candles and incense sticks, and offer fruits and sweets to Buddha’s statue.
People typically wear white, avoid non-vegetarian food, and distribute kheer, a tradition inspired by the story of Sujata offering Buddha milk porridge on this day. Many also release caged birds to symbolize compassion and empathy, core teachings of Lord Buddha.
Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, a notable Buddhist pilgrimage site. Each year, a large fair is held there, and Buddha’s relics are displayed to the public in a procession.
Best Places for Buddha Purnima 2024
Here are some of the top places to celebrate Buddha Purnima 2024:
Sarnath
Located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment. It holds great significance for Buddhists and draws pilgrims from around the world, especially during Buddha Purnima.
Bodhgaya
In Bihar, Bodhgaya is the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became Buddha. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites and features grand celebrations during Buddha Purnima.
Arunachal Pradesh
This northeastern state of India houses numerous Buddhist monasteries and stupas. Places like Tawang and Bomdila are famous for their tranquil Buddhist atmosphere, making them perfect for observing Buddha Purnima.
Ladakh
The high-altitude region of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir is rich in monasteries and Buddhist cultural heritage sites. The vibrant festivities and religious rituals during Buddha Purnima make Ladakh an unforgettable destination for visitors.
Sikkim
Nestled in the Himalayas, Sikkim boasts a deep Buddhist heritage. The state is dotted with monasteries, including the renowned Rumtek and Pemayangtse Monasteries. Buddha Purnima in Sikkim is marked by prayers, processions, and cultural performances.
How to Celebrate Buddha Purnima 2024?
Visit Temples
Buddhists visit temples and monasteries to honor the Buddha by offering flowers, candles, and incense at shrines and stupas.
Bathe the Buddha
A symbolic ritual of pouring water over Buddha statues signifies purification and renewal. This act is often accompanied by chanting and offerings of scented water.
Give Alms
Participating in charity by donating food, clothing, and other essentials to monks, temples, and the needy reflects the virtue of generosity, known as Dana.
Join Lantern Processions
In the evening, especially in East Asia, people join lantern processions, carrying brightly lit lanterns and chanting Buddhist sutras. This symbolizes the light of wisdom dispelling ignorance.
Decorate and Illuminate
Homes and temples are decorated with colorful ornaments, lanterns, and lights to create a festive atmosphere. Illuminated displays depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life are often set up in public spaces.
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Buddha Purnima 2024 FAQs
Q.1. What is Buddha Purnima?
Ans. Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is a significant Buddhist festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.
Q.2. When is Buddha Purnima celebrated in 2024?
Ans. Buddha Purnima 2024 will be celebrated on May 23, marking the full moon day of the Vaisakha month according to Asian lunisolar calendars.
Q.3. How is Buddha Purnima celebrated?
Ans. Celebrations include visiting temples, bathing Buddha statues, giving alms, participating in lantern processions, and decorating homes and temples with lights and colorful ornaments.
Q.4. Why is the date of Buddha Purnima different each year?
Ans. The date varies due to the use of lunisolar calendars in Asia, aligning with the full moon of the Vaisakha month, typically falling in April or May, and sometimes June in leap years.
Q.5. Is Buddha Purnima a national holiday?
Ans. Buddha Purnima is not a national holiday but is a gazetted holiday in India, leading to the closure of government offices, post offices, and banks in several regions.
