Buddha Purnima 2018: Here’s how the world is celebrating the birth of Gautam Buddha

Buddha Purnima marks the birthday of Gautam Buddha, who later became the founder of Buddhism. According to the Vedic literature, Lord Buddha is an incarnation of Lord Krishna (Vishnu) and thus, he appeared on this earth some 2500 years ago to teach the message of mercy and non-violence towards all living beings.

A sacred day, the festival is celebrated all around the world across various countries in different ways. Look at how the world is gearing up to celebrate the auspicious day.

People visit the holy shrines of Lord Buddha and offer him prayers on this day. In some countries, people also release birds, insects and animals as an act of “liberation” to spread Buddha’s message as a ritual.

Buddhist community of Kolkata assemble at Maha Bodhi Society of India, Kolkata on Buddha Purnima to commemorate the 2562th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha on April 29, 2018.

The supreme lord descended as Buddha in Lumbini (Nepal). He appeared at the house of King Shuddhodhana and Queen Anjana (Maya Devi). The exact year in which he appeared is a subject of discussion

 

As per the Theravada tradition, they accept his lifetime to be in between 563-483 BC. On the night of the divine conception, his mother dreamt that a white elephant with tusks entered her right side and after ten months, Lord Buddha was born.

His name was Siddharth and he grew up in the kingdom of Kapilavastu, which was ruled by his father.

In his childhood, an astrologer predicted about the future renunciation of child Siddhartha and told his parents that their son would become a saint.

Afraid of losing their son, they tried to confine him in material entrapments and kept away all sorts of items which would let his internal renunciation manifest.

Buddha's relic casket displayed at Maha Bodhi Society of India, Kolkata.

A cute Buddhist child at Maha Bodhi Society of India on Buddha Purnima. 

A Buddhist devotee helps her child to pour water on a Buddha statue to celebrate the full-moon day of Kasone, also known as Buddha Day, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.