Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima

News: Buddha Purnima was celebrated on May 16th to mark the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha.

About:
•  It is believed to be the day he attained salvation or Nirvana under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.
•  It is also known as Vesak.
•  In 1999, it became an UN-designated day, to acknowledge the contribution of Buddhism to society.

Gautam Buddha
•  Buddha’s birth and death dates are unknown. Most historians place his birth between 563 and 483 BC.
•  He is believed to be the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as per Vedic literature.
•  He was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini and belonged to the Sakya clan.

Places and events associated:
•  Gautam attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya, Bihar.
•  Buddha gave his first sermon in the village of Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. This event is known as Dharma Chakra Pravartana (turning of the wheel of law).
•  He died at the age of 80 in 483 BCE at Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. The event is known as Mahaparinibban or Mahaparinirvana.

Important Buddhist Sites to remember: