Buddha Jayanti : Its significance & how celebrated

 

Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Purnima or Vesak, is a significant Buddhist festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death (parinirvana) of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. It is observed on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakha (April-May) according to the Buddhist calendar.

### Significance

1. **Birth**: Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha, was born in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) around 563 BCE.

2. **Enlightenment**: At the age of 35, Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya (India), thus becoming the Buddha, or "the Awakened One."

3. **Parinirvana**: At the age of 80, the Buddha passed away in Kushinagar (India), achieving parinirvana, which is the final release from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

### Celebration

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with great reverence and joy by Buddhists around the world. The celebrations include:

1. **Religious Activities**:

   - **Prayers and Sermons**: Monasteries and temples hold special prayer sessions, sermons, and discourses on the teachings of the Buddha.

   - **Meditation**: Devotees engage in meditation and reflection on the principles of the Dharma (Buddha's teachings).

   - **Chanting**: Recitation of Buddhist scriptures and chanting of mantras are common practices.

2. **Rituals**:

   - **Bathing the Buddha**: In many places, statues of the Buddha are ceremonially bathed with water and fragrant flowers, symbolizing purification and renewal.

   - **Offering Food and Flowers**: Devotees offer food, flowers, incense, and candles at temples and shrines as a sign of respect and devotion.

   - **Releasing Captive Animals**: Some Buddhists release captive birds, animals, or fish as an act of compassion and to gain merit.

3. **Cultural Activities**:

   - **Parades and Processions**: Colorful processions featuring statues of the Buddha, accompanied by chanting and traditional music, are held in many countries.

   - **Fairs and Festivals**: Communities often organize fairs, cultural performances, and exhibitions related to Buddhist art and teachings.

4. **Acts of Charity**:

   - **Almsgiving**: Offering food, clothes, and other necessities to monks and the needy is a common practice.

   - **Community Service**: Engaging in charitable activities, such as visiting orphanages, old age homes, and hospitals, to distribute gifts and provide services.

### Global Observance

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with regional variations across different countries:

- **India**: Pilgrimages to major Buddhist sites like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar are common.

- **Nepal**: Celebrations at Lumbini, the Buddha's birthplace, are especially grand.

- **Sri Lanka**: Vesak lanterns, illuminations, and large pandals depicting scenes from the Buddha's life are popular.

- **Thailand**: Devotees participate in candlelight processions at temples.

- **Japan**: Known as Hanamatsuri, it involves flower festivals and pouring sweet tea over Buddha statues.

- **Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam**: Observances include temple visits, meditation, and cultural performances.

Overall, Buddha Jayanti is a time for Buddhists to reaffirm their commitment to the teachings of the Buddha and to practice compassion, generosity, and mindfulness.