The Importance of Buddha Purnima and Where to Celebrate Lord Buddha’s Festival

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One of the most significant festivals celebrated by the Buddhists, Buddha Purnima or Vesak, marks the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana (passing away) of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. So, the purpose of this festival is to remind us to follow Buddha’s way of life, which eventually leads to enlightenment.

If you are a spiritual seeker or wish to go beyond the veil of regular life, learning about the importance of Buddha Purnima would really interest you. If you are spiritual and a traveller, you can visit some places to witness one-of-a-kind Buddha Purnima celebrations.

So, let’s delve into the rich significance of Budha Purnima and explore some of the best places to celebrate this sacred event.

The Legend of Lord Buddha

Buddha Purnima celebration will hold greater significance to you when you get a glimpse of Lord Buddha’s life and how He attained Nirvana before bringing Buddhism to people. The legend says that Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautam in the 6th century BCE in Lumbini, Nepal, as the prince and heir of the Shakya kingdom.

Despite being born into a life of luxury and comfort, Siddhartha never felt fulfilled. During his encounters with the outside world, Siddhartha witnessed suffering, sickness, old age, and death—realities that his sheltered life had shielded him from. Deeply moved by these experiences, he embarked on a spiritual quest to seek answers to the profound questions of existence: the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.

So, he renounced his princely status and wandered in the jungles of ancient India, meditating and performing austerity under various teachers. However, he wasn’t satisfied with it and finally sat under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, to meditate and firmly declared not to rise until he attained enlightenment.

Engaging in deep meditation, he confronted the temptations and challenges posed by Mara, the embodiment of desire, doubt, and fear. In a moment of profound realisation, Siddhartha transcended the illusions of the ego and attained enlightenment, becoming the Buddha, or the awakened one.

Buddha Purnima Significance – Birth, Bodhi, Dharma, and Parinirvana

As mentioned above, the Buddha Purnima significance can be divided into four main sections: birth, bodhi or enlightenment, Dharma teachings, and parinirvana or passing. Let’s learn about them in detail below.

1. Birth of Buddha

Legend has it that Buddha’s birth was accompanied by auspicious signs and prophecies foretelling his future greatness. His birth heralded the beginning of a new era—a beacon of hope and enlightenment for humanity.

2. Bodhi or Enlightenment

Perhaps the most significant event commemorated on Buddha Purnima is Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment. It was on this auspicious day, after years of rigorous meditation and spiritual quest, that Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India.

Buddha’s enlightenment represents the pinnacle of human achievement—the awakening to ultimate truth and liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara).

3. Core Teachings of Dharma

Buddha Purnima also commemorates Gautama Buddha’s first sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta or “Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dharma.” After attaining enlightenment, Buddha travelled to the deer park in Sarnath, near Varanasi, India, where he delivered his inaugural discourse to his five former companions.

In this sermon, he expounded the Four Noble Truths—the truth of suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path to the cessation of suffering—and the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Dharma offers profound insights into the nature of existence and the human condition, inviting individuals to embark on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and liberation.

4. Parinirvana or Nirvana (His Passing)

Buddha Purnima also commemorates the passing of Gautama Buddha, known as Parinirvana. According to Buddhist tradition, he passed away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India, attaining final liberation from the cycle of birth and death. His death is viewed not as an end but as the ultimate culmination of his teachings and spiritual journey.

Buddha’s Parinirvana signifies the transcendence of suffering and the attainment of ultimate peace and liberation. It serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death, urging individuals to cultivate wisdom and virtue in the present moment.

Buddha Purnima is a celebration of not just Buddha but also human potential and the miracles our bodies hold, just waiting to be unleashed, first within us and then in the world.

Top places you can visit for the Buddha Purnima celebration

Now that you have a clear understanding of who Buddha is, and his journey towards enlightenment, it is time for you to unleash the traveller in you and visit these places to celebrate the Buddha Purnima festival with Gautam’s devotees.

So, here are the top places to visit for the Buddha Purnima celebration.

1. Lumbini, Nepal

Lumbini, located in Nepal, holds paramount importance in Buddha’s life as it was His birthplace. To start your journey, you can visit the Maya Devi temple which is dedicated to Buddha’s mother, Queen Mayadevi. The temple houses the Marker Stone, which is believed to be the exact birthplace of Gautam Buddha. Devotees gather at this temple to pay their respects to the Lord on Buddh Purnima.

Next, you can head over to the Sacred Garden, a UNESCO Heritage Site in Lumbini encompassing several temples, monasteries, and monuments built by Buddhist devotees worldwide. During Buddha Purnima, the Sacred Garden comes alive with colourful decorations, prayer flags, and offerings as devotees gather to celebrate the occasion.

Ashoka Pillar, erected by the Indian Emperor Ashoka during the 3rd century BCE, bears inscriptions that confirm Lumbini as the birthplace of Buddha. Ashoka became one of the most staunch devotees of Buddha and left a life of violence after experiencing Buddha’s energy. It is a revered site that devotees visit during Buddha Purnima celebrations.

Monastic Zone organises special prayers, meditations, rituals, and cultural performances to celebrate Buddha’s life on Buddha Purnima. The place houses several monasteries that tell Buddha’s life story.

2. Bodh Gaya, India

Buddha Purnima celebrations cannot be done without visiting where He attained enlightenment – Bodh Gaya. The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO Heritage Site, is the focal point of Buddha Purnima celebrations. Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment 2500 years ago, sitting near the Bodhi Tree, which is now rooted in the Mahabodhi temple. The devotees pay their homage via prayers, rituals, meditations, and circumambulation of the temple as they listen to the teachings of revered monks and soak in the peace surrounding the temple.

Many cultural and spiritual events are also organised at the temple on the day of Buddh Purnima to enrich the experience of devotees who visit the temple from around the world.

3. Sarnath, Varanasi, India

Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. Buddha Purnima in Sarnath offers devotees a unique opportunity to connect with the foundational teachings of Buddhism and immerse themselves in the spiritual ambience of this sacred site.

One of the primary locations to celebrate Buddha Purnima in Sarnath is at the Dhamek Stupa, a massive structure built on the spot where Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon. Devotees gather here to offer prayers, meditate, and participate in religious rituals, commemorating the momentous occasion of the Buddha’s teachings.

Additionally, various monasteries and temples in Sarnath organise special events and cultural programs during Buddha Purnima. These may include teachings by revered monks, meditation sessions, chanting of sutras, and traditional performances. Visitors can engage in spiritual practices, gain insights into Buddhist philosophy, and deepen their understanding of the Dharma.

4. Kathmandu, Nepal

The importance of Buddha Purnima can also be witnessed in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, which houses Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Devotees circumambulate the stupa, spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras, while decorated monasteries and temples host religious ceremonies and cultural performances, tuning the atmosphere quite vibrant.

Swayambhunath, or Monkey Temple, is another iconic Buddhist site where the festival is celebrated. Set atop a hill, the stupa is surrounded by tranquillity and peaceful vibes, and devotees pay their homage to the Buddha on the day of the festival. You can also head to Kopan Monastery, located on the outskirts of Kathmandu, which is one of the most well-known places to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism. You can engage in spiritual practice, learn about spirituality and philosophy from lamas and teachers present there, or simply meditate and soak in the calm air of the place.

Lumbini Peace Park is another place to visit for the Buddha Purnima celebration, as the place organises several events, including meditation sessions, contemplative parks, lectures on Buddhist teachings, and more.

Lastly, you can drive to a pilgrimage site called Namo Buddha, which has a legend that tells that Buddha, in one of his past lives, sacrificed his own body to feed a starving tigress and her cubs at this site. The site is thus associated with Buddha’s previous lives.

5. Dharamshala, India

The sacred Buddha Purnima is observed with a profound reverence in the serene Himalayan town of Dharamshala. The celebrations commence with devotees gathering at the revered Tsuglagkhang Complex, home to the Dalai Lama and a major centre of Tibetan Buddhism. The complex is adorned with colourful prayer flags and intricate decorations, creating a vibrant atmosphere of divinity and devotion.

You will also see Tibetan monks leading solemn processions, carrying sacred relics and chanting sacred texts, offering their prayers as they circumambulate the stupas, and seeking blessings for peace and enlightenment. Buddha Purnima in Dharamshala is also marked by cultural programs, including traditional dance performances, lectures on Buddhist philosophy, and exhibitions showcasing Buddhist art and artefacts.

If nothing else, Buddha Purnima in Dharamshala is a great time to find a quiet corner and meditate under the moonlight.

6. Kushinagar, India

The ancient town of Kushinagar, located in Uttar Pradesh, is the final resting place of Buddha. Devotees gather at the Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa on the auspicious day to pay their respect to the Holy being. The rituals to honour Lord Buddha begin at dawn with devotees praying, chanting mantras, offering flowers and candles to the sacred sites associated with His final days, and more.

Monasteries like Mathakuar Kot and Rambhar Stupa organise cultural programs, such as traditional dance performances, lectures on ways of life, and reciting Buddhist scriptures, attracting visitors from around the world to participate in the popular event.

What separates Buddha Purnima celebrations in Kushinagar from other Buddhist sites is that the festival lasts a whole month! Even Hindu temples perform pujas and hold special ceremonies to honour Lord Buddha.

So, if you are visiting Kushinagar for Buddha Purnima celebrations, make sure to book your stay for at least a week to soak in the grand festivity.

7. Tawang, India

The picturesque town of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, a predominantly Buddhist region, is another popular site to celebrate Buddha Purnima. The day begins with devotees congregating at the majestic Tawang Monastery, one of India’s largest and most intricately designed monasteries.

Here, monks lead prayers, chant sacred texts, and perform rituals to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana of the Buddha. Locals offer butter lamps and light incense, participate in cultural performances and rituals, and thank the Lord for blessing them with His light.

Last year, the Indian Army and locals celebrated the mega event together due to tension with China, thus fostering harmony and respect between the residents and the military personnel and upholding the values and teachings of Buddha.

Buddha Purnima is celebrated to honour the life and timeless wisdom of Lord Buddha. Still, it is also a way to deepen one’s spiritual practice and get closer to enlightenment. This Buddh Purnima, pack your bags, book your package with SOTC and explore the sacred land of Buddha to get to know yourself on a deeper level and more.

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