Buddha Purnima in Lumbini Nepal

Buddha Purnima also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vesak day is a day when Buddha was born, enlightened and attended Mahaparinirvana. The exact date of Buddha’s birth is based on the lunisolar calendar and varies with western Gregorian calendar. However it falls in April or May and in June in leap year.

This is the day when Buddha was born 623 BCE in Lumbini garden that falls in modern Nepal. Buddha Purnima is celebrated in most of the East Asian countries as a day of triple bliss. Special prayers and chanting are organized in Buddhist monasteries and monuments during the day. In the evening the monuments are decorated with flowers and lamps and incense are offered.

How is Buddha Purnima celebrated in Nepal ?

Buddha Purnima is an auspicious time to visit Lumbini and other Buddhist sites of Nepal. The day is celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal and is also a public holiday. There are over ten thousand Buddhist Chaityas in Kathmandu valley only. Among them the Swyambhunath and Boudhanath are the most popular and must visit places for Buddhists. Similarly other important Buddhist sites like Guru Rinpoche cave of Pharping, Namo Buddha Stupa and the Buddhist monastic town of Patan celebrate it with ceremonies and butter lamp offerings. Hundreds of people visit these sites throughout the day worshiping Buddha, observing precepts and giving Dana (donation). During the day ceremonies are held to give sermons, display Buddha relics and honor Buddha.

Rituals to follow on the day

Buddha Purnima (Vesak), is a significant festival that serves as a reminder to embrace the simple and honest path advocated by Gautam Buddha. The festival also signifies values such as honesty, compassion, and liberation. Being in auspicious place like Lumbini, here are some guidelines to obseve Buddha Purnima :

• Begin the day with a bath and dress in white or orange attire to symbolize purity.
• Adorn the Bodhi (Peepal) tree with flags and flowers.
• Place a small statue of Lord Buddha in a basin filled with water.
• Meditate in front of the sacred tree.
• Recite prayers and teachings from the life of Gautam Buddha.
• Show generosity by offering clothes and food to needy.
• Pay homage to the statue of Lord Buddha and strive for personal salvation.

Commitment to Panchasheel (five moral precepts)

On this auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, make a commitment to uphold the five principles of Buddha's teachings, known as Panchsheel:

• Refrain from taking life
• Abstain from stealing
• Abstain from falsehood
• Do not consume alcohol
• Stay faithful in relationships.

Buddhist circuit tour of Nepal during Buddha purnima (Buddha Jayanti)

Buddha Jayanti or Vesak day is the best time to go on a Buddhist circuit tour of Nepal. You can also visit other important Buddhist sites in Nepal and be in Lumbini for the Buddha Jayanti celebration. Our 8 days Buddhist tour of Nepal covers must to visit sites within Nepal. All Buddhist monuments go through special ceremonies with chanting and prayers by monks.

Lumbini Tour

Lumbini is one of the four Buddhsit pilgrimage sites referred by Buddha himself.

"O-Bhikshus', after my death when people and members of a new generation come and ask you, then tell them that here the Buddha was born, here he attained the full enlightenment, here he turned the wheel of Dharma twelve times, and here finally the Buddha entered into Parinirvana"

The Buddhist scriptures explained Lumbini as a heavenly garden between two kingdoms of Kapilavastu and Devdaha. Queen Mayadevi was travelling to her maternal hometown, Devdaha when she went into labor and gave birth to Buddha at the Lumbini garden.

In the 3rd century BCE, Emperor Ashoka erected a pillar with an inscription to mark the birth place of Buddha. The Stupas and monasteries survived until the 7th century which was documented by the Chinese travelers Huian Tsang and Faeihan. However the exact location was lost with time as Buddhism in the area continuously declined subjected to socio-economy, politics and Muslim invasion.

The place got attention of the world only after German archaeologist Dr. Alois A rediscovered the broken Ashokan pillar in 1886 AD. With the discovery the place got the attention of world Buddhist pilgrims. In 1996, UNESCO declared Lumbini as a World Heritage Site.
Lumbini has been recreated as the legendary garden in the area of 6 by 2 km. The total area of 72 sq km comprises sacred garden, monastic zone and Lumbini village.