Relevant for prelims and GS paper 1
The festival of Buddha Purnima is traditionally celebrated to commemorate the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Gautama Buddha and went on to become the founder of Buddhism. On this day, people celebrate Siddhartha’s choice to embrace a spiritual quest wherein he renounced all worldly pleasures to become a holy man. He chose this life when he witnessed the suffering of common people. He was hence inspired to let go of his royal life.
Buddha’s birth country is considered as Nepal, and there this day is celebrated in accordance to the full moon day of the Vaisakha month of the Buddhist calendar. Neighbouring Southeast Asian countries too, celebrate this day during the Vaisakha month of the Buddhist and Hindu calendar, which is usually the month of April or May according to the Western Gregorian calendar.
Celebrations worldwide
Countries all over the world celebrate the essence of Buddhism on this day, and it is not limited only to Southeast Asia. The day is a public holiday in many countries, including China, India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and South Vietnam; Canada, Australia and United States (US), too, celebrate this festival by commemorating different ethnicities and cultures.
How India celebrates
People who have embraced Buddhism usually pay a visit to common Viharas to begin their celebration. There they observe a full-length Buddhist sutra which is very similar to a service. Non-vegetarian food is renounced for the day, and followers choose to dress in white. Consumption and distribution of popular Indian dish ‘Kheer’ is undertaken, because according to legend, a woman named Sujata offered a bowl of milk to Gautama Buddha.
Buddha Purnima celebration is all about praying with the purest of feelings, and adopting what Buddhism stand for- peace, non-violence and harmony.