May 23: Today, May 23rd, marks the 2568th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The festival is known as Vesak, Buddha Poornima or Buddha Jayanti. Buddhists all around the world celebrate it in May every year with fervour.
Purnima Begins – May 22, 2024 – 06:47 pm
Purnima Ends -May 23, 2024 -07:22 pm
History of Lord Buddha : Royal roots to spiritual path
Born as a prince in Lumbini, (present-day Nepal) around 563 BC in Shakya Kingdom to ‘King Suddhodana‘ and ‘Queen Mahamaya’. Siddhartha renounced his royal status for his spiritual journey. When the prince was born, a seer said to ‘King Suddhodana‘ that if the child witnessed suffering or death, he would either become a great king or a holy man. Despite his father’s attempt to shield him from the harsh and difficult realities of the outside world, Siddharth Gautama went out to understand his own path and discover a way out of suffering. The Mahabodhi Temple in India is where Buddha achieved enlightenment. The Bodhi tree present there is known as the tree of awakening.
The Four Noble Truths are the foundational precepts of Buddhism given by Buddha. Buddha also showed a path to end the suffering.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
i. Suffering (Dukkha): The first noble truth teaches that life is full of suffering and dissatisfaction.
ii. Origin of suffering (Samudāya): The second noble truth says that there is a cause for this suffering, which is due to attachments and desires. The root of suffering is attachment.
iii. Cessation of suffering (Nirodha): The third noble truth teaches that suffering can be ended. It refers to the state of Nirvana (where desires and attachment cease to exist)
iv. Path to the cessation of suffering (Magga): The Fourth Noble Truth shows Eightfold path, as a way to end the suffering.
Along with the Four Noble Truths, Buddha also showed a path to end suffering which is known as the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path provides a path to achieve Nirvana through i) Right Understanding, ii) Right Intention, iii) Right Speech, iv) Right Action, v) Right Livelihood, vi) Right Effort, vii) Right Mindfulness, viii) Right Concentration
5 Interesting facts about Buddha
- The word “buddha” in Sanskrit means “enlightened one”.
- Buddha’s original name is Siddhartha Gautama. He was born in Kapilavastu (present-day Nepal) as a prince in the Shakya clan to King Suddhodana and Queen Mahamaya in fifth century B.C.E
- Siddharth Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, Uttar Pradesh India.
- Buddha died in Kushinagar and it is the place where he attained Mahaparinirvana. It is the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site of the world.
- Buddhism is one of the main world religions.
Here are some quotes by Buddha to remember on the auspicious day of Buddha Poornima:
- “Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”
- “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”
- “The root of suffering is attachment.”
- Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
- “The mind is everything, what you think you become.”
Buddha Poornima Celebrated all across Asia
Apart from India, Buddha Poornima is a significant festival that is celebrated in countries such as Hong Kong, China, Japan, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka
Today, let us embrace the teachings of the enlightened and strive to cultivate peace, compassion, and clarity.