Buddha Purnima 2023 – Buddha Jayanti (Friday, 5 May 2023)
Buddha Purnima is the most significant day for people who practice Buddhism. It is celebrated worldwide and marks the enlightenment and the birth of Gautama Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal. Guatam Buddha Purnima is observed on a bright full moon day in the Vaisakha month. It is a time that is ideal for charity, contemplation, and puja.
Let’s find out when Buddha Purnima 2023 date, its significance, history and other information .
| Buddha Purnima 2023 Date | 5 May 2023 |
| Day | Friday |
| Anniversary | 2585th Birth Anniversary |
| Buddha Purnima Tithi Begins | At 11:44 PM on May 04, 2023 |
| Buddha Purnima Tithi Ends | At 11:03 PM on May 05, 2023 |
| Also Called as | Gautma Buddha Jayanti, Vesak, Phat Dan, Saga Dawa, Vesak Bochea, Visakha Puja |
| Significance | Birth of Gautma Buddha |
When is Buddha Purnima in 2023: Date and Time
The Buddhist community celebrate Buddha purnima with lots of enthusiasm and fervour. This sacred day falls on a Purnima, or a full moon of the Hindu month of Vaisakha. The date typically falls in the month of April and May as per the Asian lunisolar calendars. Although during a leap year, the festival will take place in June.
This year, Buddha Jayanti date falls on May 5th 2023 in India and Nepal. The birth of Buddha is commemorated as a part of the Vesak festival, which also honours the three major occasions in his life – his enlightenment, birth, and death.
- Buddha Purnima Tithi Begins at At 11:44 PM on May 04, 2023
- Buddha Purnima Tithi Ends At 11:03 PM on May 05, 2023
Who is Gautama Buddha?
Siddhartha Gautama, popularly known as Gautama Buddha, was born to King Suddhodana. He was a great spiritual teacher, philosopher, and a guide who founded Buddhism. As per historians’ beliefs, he lived approximately between 563-483 BC. However, there is no definite data about the birth date. In North India, Buddha is considered the 9th avatar of Lord Vishnu.
After the age of 29, Buddha spent years in meditation in search of truth, attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, and gave his discourse on Dharma in Sarnath.
Significance of Buddha Purnima (Vesak)
Buddha Purnima is significant for Buddhists as it commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is a time to reflect on his life and teachings, and to honor his contribution to humanity. The festival highlights the values of compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness that he espoused, and serves as a reminder for people to strive towards inner peace and enlightenment. The day is also a reminder of the impermanence of life, and the importance of living in the present moment.
How is Buddha Purnima Celebrated?
1. Offering Flowers, Candles and Reciting Rhymes
On this special day of Buddha Jayanti, many devotees visit Buddhist shrines to recite rhymes and preach about Lord Buddha’s life, teachings, and principles. Candles and flowers are offered to worship Buddha’s idol in a water-filled basin.
2. Visiting Temple
Huge crowds of devotees visit holy temples like Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, Sarnath temple in Varanasi, Dhaulagiri in Orissa and many more. People across Thailand, Bhutan, Tibet, and various other parts visit these temples on this auspicious day to seek blessings.
3. Observing Non-Violence and Kindness
During this festival, every Buddhist must follow particular rules and guidelines. For instance, one must not eat meat and wear white clothes, symbolising peace and showing kindness to the less fortunate.
4. Decorating Statues with Fresh Flowers
On this day,the statues are decorated with fresh flowers. Besides, devotees wash their idol with water. Moreover they also offer money, clothes, and food to the needy. In some parts of China and Southeast Asia, this celebration is also marked by releasing caged birds or animals.
5. Offering Sweets
Sweet dishes like Kheer or milk porridge are prepared and provided to the needy and loved ones on this auspicious day.
Best Places to Observe Buddha Jayanti in 2023
Today, Buddha Purnima is celebrated with great devotion and reverence across all religions. Some of the best places where you to observe Buddha Purnima and learn more about Lord Buddha’s teachings include:
1. Bodh Gaya
It is one of India’s major pilgrimage sites. This place is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. On this day, you can visit Mahabodhi temple, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. People gather here for religious sermons and discourses on Buddha Purnima day.
2. Sarnath
It is another sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site. In this place, a great fair takes place where the relics of Buddha are performed in procession. People celebrate this day with hymns, vegetarian delicacies, and offerings.
3. Sikkim
In Sikkim Vesak festival (Buddha Purnima) is observed as Saga Dawa. Here, monks carry the Holy Book of Tsuklakhang Palace Monastery in a procession to the beat of horns and drums. At numerous monasteries, folk dance performances also take place.
4. Arunachal Pradesh
In Arunachal Pradesh, a religious procession occurs where a large number of devotees carry a statuette of Lord Buddha and holy scripts. Furthermore, they chant Buddhist mantras from Theravada Buddhist Monastery to Thuptan Ga-Tselling Monastery as spiritual significance.
5. Ladakh
People of Ladakh celebrate this auspicious day by participating in various activities like meditation and spiritual talks about Buddhist scriptures, prayers, and communication on Buddha’s life. Monks decorate monasteries with flowers, and people visit these monasteries, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Why is Buddha Purnima Celebrated?
Buddha Purnima is celebrated in India and worldwide, such as in Nepal, Srilanka, Korea, Thailand, China, Indonesia, and many more. People celebrate this occasion to commemorate the birth of Lord Buddha, a religious leader, a teacher, and an ascetic. As per beliefs on this day, Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma at Sarnath after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
History and Background of Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is an important Buddhist festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. It is observed on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month, which falls in April or May according to the Gregorian calendar. The history of Buddha Purnima goes back to ancient India, where Gautama Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE. After years of spiritual quest and meditation, he attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. He spent the next 45 years teaching his disciples and spreading his teachings, before passing away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India. Buddha Purnima serves as a time to reflect on his life and teachings, and to honor his contribution to humanity.
Final Word
Buddha Purnima holiday is a significant Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. The day is particularly grandly celebrated in countries with significant Buddhist populations, with parades, processions, and cultural events taking place. Overall, Buddha Purnima is a time for devotees to offer prayers, meditate, and seek blessings, and for people to come together and celebrate the teachings of Buddha.
Together, let’s celebrate Buddha Purnima 2023 by remembering his life and teachings. You don’t need to worry about funds! Get a Navi Cash Loan in a hassle-free manner with 100% paperless process and instant disbursal. Download the Navi App, explore more about cash loans.
FAQs
As per legend, Buddha Purnima holds a spiritual significance as it marks the birth and enlightenment of Gautama Buddha. In some places, it is also known as Buddha day, Vesak, and Buddha Jayanti. People celebrate this day by wearing white clothes, eating vegetarian food, and participating in various events like meditation, prayers, and other cultural programs.
This year, Buddha Purnima will be celebrated on 5 May 2023 (in Nepal and India) and 19 May 2023 (in Southeast Asian countries). The date may differ as this month has two full moon days and Buddhist and Hindu lunar calendars can be interpreted in different manners. People celebrate this day as ‘Vesak’.
No, Buddha Purnima is not a national holiday. Buddha Purnima is a gazetted holiday in India. Therefore government offices, post offices, and banking institutions will remain closed. Different commercial outlets or shops owned by Buddhists will also remain closed or can have reduced working hours on this auspicious day. However, the transportation system of the nation will not be disturbed.
Today, people across the globe celebrate this auspicious day in honour of Gautama Buddha, who taught us compassion, love, and non-violence. Some major countries where you can find this celebration are Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, China, Korea, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Bhutan, Burma, and many more.
You can visit Buddhist monasteries or temples in a simple white or saffron dress. You can offer flowers to Buddha statues and light up a Diya, placing it along the sculpture. Try to participate in meditation, divine chants of hymns or read the teachings of Buddha. Lastly, prepare some delicacies like Kheer or rice pudding to nourish your inner self.
