Birth, Enlightenment, and Nirvana
Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak, is the most sacred day for Buddhists worldwide. It commemorates three significant events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, which all auspiciously occurred on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month: his birth in Lumbini, his enlightenment (Nirvana) under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, and his passing (Parinirvana) in Kushinagar.
This "thrice-blessed" day is a time for peace, reflection, and compassion. Buddhists reflect on the Buddha's teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which offer a guide to ending suffering and achieving peace.
A Day of Peace and Compassion
Spiritual Observances
On Buddha Purnima, devotees visit monasteries and temples to listen to sermons, meditate, and offer prayers. Homes are cleaned and decorated, and people wear white clothes to symbolize purity. Many observe a vegetarian diet and engage in acts of charity, such as giving food and clothes to the poor, embodying the Buddha's teachings of compassion and kindness towards all living beings.
Items for a Serene Puja
