Buddha Purnima

Wed, 06 Aug 1997 03:13:03 +0000

Buddha Purnima is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. It is the most important festival of the Buddhists, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Every festival has its own rituals which provide an insight into the lives and beliefs, customs and culture of the people observing them.

One may well ask why is Buddha Purnima observed only by the Buddhists? The answer is simple: because it is associated with the founder of their faith, Lord Buddha. Although Buddhists regard every full moon as sacred, the moon of the month of Vaisakh (April-May) has special significance because on this day the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and attained Nirvana when he died. This strange, three fold coincidence, gives Buddha Purnima its unique significance.

Vishnu Prabhakar on Pitara Kids Network

Buddha Purnima