Buddha Jayanti is the most important festival for Buddhists worldwide. It is also known as Buddha Purnima, Vesak, and Vaishakha. This auspicious day of Buddha Jayanti 2025 signifies Gautam Buddha’s birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death (parinirvana).
Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, and is the founder of Buddhism. The word Buddha means an enlightened or wise one. Here’s all about Buddha Jayanti 2082;
Table of Contents
Buddha Purnima/Jayanti Date
Buddha Jayanti is the celebration of Lord Buddha’s birth Anniversary. According to the Hindu Calendar, the festival occurs on the first full moon day, or Purnima, of May.
Buddha Jayanti 2025 will fall on 12 May 2025, which is on the 29 Baisakh 2082 in Nepal. It was initiated after the resolution passed at the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in 1950.
Background of बुद्ध जयन्ती
Prince Siddhartha of Kapilvastu, Lumbini, went all the way to become Lord Buddha. His story dates from around the 6th century, when he was the prince foretold to become a noble king with all the luxuries he ever envied. Siddhartha was the son of King Suddhodhan Gautama and Queen Maya Devi. He was born in the garden of Sal Trees, located in the charming and serene Lumbini, Nepal.
With no experience of sadness and sorrow, Prince Siddhartha left the palace & began excursions off the palace territories in his chariot to seek the reasons behind his sufferings in his late twenties. By then, he had to spend most of his time in Lumbini, Kapilvastu, Devdaha, Uttar Pradesh of India, and all the sacred places around Nepal.
Liberation took years of teaching and a mystical meditation session, where he woke up as an awakened one or the Buddha. He began enlightening people on the right path since then.
UNESCO has listed Lumbini, Nepal, as the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and a world heritage site.
Buddha’s three significant life events- birth, enlightenment, and salvation give the reason for Buddha Jayanty.
There are diverse beliefs regarding the accurate dates of his birth and death, as they remain concealed.
Observances and celebrations
Buddha Jayanti is celebrated mostly among Buddhists and Hindus in South Eastern Asian nations like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, and many more. Some believe it is the day Buddha was born, while others consider it the day Buddha attained enlightenment.
People visit Buddhist shrines and chant hymns and discourses about the life, teachings, and principles of Lord Buddha. They glorify the day by offering candles and flowers to the water-immersed Buddha’s idol.
The day also witnesses sincerity with pure food, white clothes, and donations of rice pudding(Kheer) to the needy, as taught by Buddha.
Swyambhunath and Boudhanath in Kathmandu, Nepal, observe Buddhists and foreign pilgrims all day long.
Similarly, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath of India observe huge celebrations on this day.
Yes, it is a public holiday in Buddha Jayanti 2082 in Nepal and a gazetted holiday in India.
Eightfold Pathway of Buddha
The celebration of Buddha Jayenti accompanies the Dharma Chakra or Dharma Wheel, an eight-spoke wooden wheel depicting Buddhism’s magnificent eightfold pathway. These pathways help individuals escape from fallacies and attachments, resulting in rational and moral maturation.
- Right View
- Right Intention
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Concentration
Buddha’s Mantra and Meaning
बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि। | Buddham saranam gachhami | I devote myself to Buddha for guidance |
धर्मं शरणं गच्छामि। | Dharmam saranam gachhami | I follow the path of Dharma |
संघं शरणं गच्छामि। | Sangham saranam gachhami | I follow the teachers or companions for enlightenment along the route |
Fundamental teachings by Lord Buddha
Here are some of her teachings to remember on the Buddha Jayanti in Nepal;
- Do not harm any creatures.
- Always speak the truth.
- Do not steal.
- Do not conduct sexual offences.
- Avoid consuming intoxicating items.
Four Noble Truths by Lord Buddha
- Life means suffering; it’s for all, and nobody escapes.
- The origin of suffering is attachment, greed, and lust.
- The end of suffering is attainable by ceasing the cause of suffering.
- The path/enlightenment to end suffering/nirvana is fulfilment with our belongings. Useless things generate sorrow and grief.
Conclusion
Lord Buddha has left us a lot in the form of his teachings and principles, and it’s our time to remember him for his great deeds. Don’t just celebrate Buddha Purnima 2025 with your family and friends; go a step ahead and follow his teachings and offer donations to the needy. Get going when it comes to helping one another in whatever ways possible. Have a Happy Buddha Jayanti 2025.
Besides Buddha Jayanti, the following events are also observed on this day.
- Ubhauli Parva
- Kurma Jayanti
- Gorakhnath Jayanti
- Chandi Poornima Wrata
- Baisakh Snan Samapti
- Senior Health & Fitness Day
- Paper Airplane Day
- Blueberry Cheesecake Day
Want to know more about Nepal? Here’s Nepal’s Republic Day and Everest Day in detail.