GUWAHATI: India on Friday, May 1, marked Buddha Purnima, the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha.
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Observed as a ‘triple anniversary,’ the day is traditionally believed to mark three major events in the Buddha’s life: his birth as Prince Siddhartha in Lumbini, his attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, and his Mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar.
This year marks the 2588th birth anniversary of the Buddha. The occasion is observed on the Purnima (full moon) tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakha. According to the lunar calendar, the Purnima tithi began at 9:12 PM on April 30 and will end at 10:52 PM on May 1.
While historical records vary, scholars generally place the Buddha’s lifetime between 563–483 BC. Born into royalty, Siddhartha Gautama renounced a life of luxury after encountering the “four sights”, an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and an ascetic, which led him to seek a path to end human suffering.
At the age of 35, he attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. He later delivered his first sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, at Sarnath, and passed away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar.
Extending greetings on the occasion, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the enduring relevance of the Buddha’s teachings of compassion, non-violence, peace, and wisdom.
In a post on X, President Murmu said she extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to citizens and followers of Bhagwan Buddha across the world.
Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his wishes, stating that India remains committed to the ideals of the Buddha and expressing hope that his teachings would strengthen harmony and togetherness in society.