Buddha Jayanti 2025: A Journey Towards Knowledge and Peace
Date & Day
Date: Monday, 12 May 2025
Tithi: Vaishakha Purnima (Full Moon Day of Vaishakha month)
Occasion: Celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana (death) of Lord Buddha.
Who Was Gautama Buddha?
Born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini (Nepal) around 563 BCE.
Belonged to the Shakya dynasty.
Renounced worldly pleasures at age 29 after seeing old age, sickness, death, and a monk.
Attained Enlightenment (Nirvana) under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya at age 35.
Spent the rest of his life spreading the Dhamma (teachings).
Passed into Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar at age 80.
Significance of Buddha Jayanti
It’s a triple-blessed day — marking:
Birth in Lumbini.
Enlightenment in Bodh Gaya.
Mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar.
Celebrated by Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna Buddhists worldwide.
Encourages values of non-violence, compassion, mindfulness, and simplicity.
Rituals & Practices
Visit to monasteries and viharas.
Offerings of flowers, candles, incense, fruits, and water at Buddha statues.
Chanting of Buddhist scriptures like the Dhammapada.
Meditation sessions, often throughout the day.
Many devotees observe a vegetarian diet.
Acts of charity and kindness, such as feeding the poor, donating clothes, etc.
Releasing birds or animals as a symbolic act of compassion.
Celebrations in India
Bodh Gaya (Bihar): Main site of enlightenment — grand prayers at Mahabodhi Temple.
Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh): Where Buddha gave his first sermon.
Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh): Celebrations marking Mahaparinirvana.
Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal (especially Kalimpong and Darjeeling) host vibrant programs.
Government organizes cultural events, peace prayers, and interfaith dialogues.
Global Celebrations
Known as Vesak or Vesakha Day in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries.
In Nepal, it’s known as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti and is a national holiday.
In the UN calendar, it is officially recognized as “Vesak Day”.
Teachings of Lord Buddha
Four Noble Truths:
Life involves suffering (Dukkha).
Suffering is caused by desire (Tanha).
Suffering can end (Nirodha).
Follow the Eightfold Path to end suffering.
Eightfold Path:
Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration.
Interesting Facts
UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Mahabodhi Temple are central to celebrations.
White robes are worn by many followers on this day.
The Buddha did not claim to be a god, but a teacher who showed the path to liberation.
Buddha Jayanti is not about rituals but about reflection, kindness, and inner peace.
A Hindi or English speech or article for school or public events.
A script/story based on Buddha’s life for kids or spiritual groups.
A poster/banner content for Buddha Jayanti 2025.
A social media caption or visual for digital celebrations.
Religion World Bureau
