Buddha Purnima falls in the month of Vaishakh on a full moon
day. Robed monks, serenity and calm mark the birthday of Buddha, the enlightened one.
Many years ago on this full moon day Gautam Buddha was born to Queen Mahamaya and King
Sudhadhana in the Lumbini gardens in Nepal. Buddha means the wise or enlightened one.
Buddhism began in India about 2500 years ago. It grew and spread rapidly and today there
are millions of Buddhists all over the world that is following the simple teachings of
Gautam Buddha. This religion has spread far and wide to countries like China, Tibet, Sri
Lanka, and Japan but in many ways it is slowly and steadily declining in India.
Gautam Buddha was born to a royal family but the misery and sadness of the poor greatly
affected him and he decided to renounce the Royal throne and he wandered in search of the
real truth of life. He visited many places till finally at a place called Bodh Gaya,
Gautam Buddha sat under a Banyan tree where he meditated for many days at a stretch till
he finally attained Nirvana.
Gaya is a sacred place for all Buddhists. The Bodhi tree is honoured and Buddhist monks
perform simple ceremonies. The teachings of Buddha are very simple. Buddha did not
believed in worldly pleasures. He taught that we could find peace and contentment by
giving up all selfish thoughts and wishes. He preached simplicity and caring for others.
He was against stealing, cheating, killing and harming others.
Buddha Purnima is celebrated in springtime, a time in which nature brings to us its
splendours and brings out the goodness in life. It helps in getting people together.
