Raj Yoga forming on this Buddha Purnima! Read the importance of fasting on Vaishakh Purnima, puja rituals and auspicious muhurat.
The biggest festival dedicated to Lord Buddha is Buddha Purnima. It holds special significance for natives who follow Buddhism and is considered a sacred day. According to the Hindu Panchang, this festival falls on the Poornima during the month of Vaishakh, and is also known as Vaishakh Purnima, Buddha Jayanti, Vaisak and Hanmatsuri. As per the beliefs, the 23rd avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Mahatma Buddha, who is also known as Siddharth Gautam or Gautam Buddha’s birthday is celebrated on this day. According to another belief, Buddha was the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On the occasion of his birthday, this day is celebrated with pomp and show. On this special day, Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini and attained enlightenment, and at the age of 80, on the same day, he gave up his human form in Kushinagar. Hence, it can be considered that the Lord Buddha was born, gained enlightenment and left this mortal world on the same day of Vaishakh Purnima. As this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, hence fasting on this day is considered to be auspicious.
Buddha Purnima Puja Muhurat
Purnima begins from May 18, 2019, 04:12:32
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Purnima ends on May 19, 2019, 02:42:59
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Note: Above time is applicable for New Delhi. Click here to know the muhurat for your city.
Importance of Fasting on Vaishakh Purnima
The King of Justice is worshipped on Vaishakh Purnima, and this year, it will be celebrated on 18 May 2019. This date proves to be very special and fruitful this year, as a Samsaptak Yoga is forming on this day. Thereby, Jupiter and Sun will face each other, i.e. be placed opposite to each other, and as a result, natives will observe stability and progress in their work. Also, fasting on this day eliminates the fear of untimely or premature death.
One such story is that Sudama was advised by Lord Krishna, his childhood and closest friend, to do the Satya Vinayak Purnima Vrat when he arrived at Dwaraka. After following his advice and doing the fast, Sudama got rid of poverty. Hence anyone fasting on this day attains the blessings of the Dharmaraj and positivity prevails in his life.
Rituals for Vaishakh Purnima
Fasting and performing sacred deeds on Vaishakh Purnima offers auspicious results. Some of the religious rituals to be performed on this pious day are as follows:
- It is considered auspicious to bath in a holy river, reservoir, well or step-well before sunrise, during the day of Vaishakh Poornima.
- After bathing, offer Arghya to Lord Sun while chanting the Surya Mantra. During this time, vow to fast and remember Lord Vishnu.
- Now, venerate Lord Vishnu and his avatar, Gautam Buddha with a dedicated heart.
- As per astrology, offer delicacies and an urn filled with water to the Dharmraj to gain desired results.
- Offer sesame seeds mixed with sugar to the 5-7 poor, needy and Brahmans to eliminate the sins.
- On this day, light a diya with sesame seed oil and offer the sesame seeds.
- During the fast, consume food only once throughout the day.
Astrological Importance of Offering Arghya to Sun: Click Here
Importance of Buddha Purnima
As we all know that Lord Gautam Buddha is known for his humanitarian approach, non-violence and intellectual thoughts, hailed as the greatest man and propagated the nature and idea of Buddhism across the globe. As a result, today more than 180+ million people are the followers of Buddhism throughout the world. Not only in India, Buddha Purnima is also celebrated with excitement in China, Nepal, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. This festival holds high significance in Hinduism as well, as Lord Gautam Buddha is seen as another incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Salvation aka Moksha According To Gautam Buddha
Buddhism was established by Lord Gautam Buddha, who preached four major teachings, which must be followed on the sacred day of Buddha Purnima.
- Sadness and Grief prevails in every situation in this world. In birth, old age, sickness, or death, there is an element of sadness present.
- The main reason of this grief is the unending desires and greed of human beings.
- The grief ends when the human being gets rid of his wishes, desires and greed.
- Any human being can put an end to all these desires with the help of the Noble Eightfold Path, which comprises of eighth practices.
- Right View
- Right Resolve
- Right Speech
- Right Conduct
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Samadhi (Meditative Union)
Buddha Purnima in Different States
Although Buddha Purnima is celebrated all over the globe as Buddha Jayanti, but in India, this festival is mainly observed in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar. The Maha Bodhi Temple located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, is beautifully decorated on this special occasion. This temple has attracted many Buddhist Monks for its academic value since ancient times. On this day, Buddhist followers venerate Lord Buddha with a devoted heart, and major donations are made.
Astrological & Religious Importance of Buddha Purnima
The date or tithi of Purnima holds high significance in both Hinduism and Vedic Astrology. From astrological point of view, a Full Moon appears on Vaishakh Purnima, and people fasting attain the blessings of Lord Moon. on the other hand, bathing in the Ganges is considered to be a pious activity throughout this month of Vaishakh. It is also believed that bathing, making donations and charity provides auspicious results, and a native gets rid of the fear of untimely death.
AstroSage wishes the best to all the readers on the occasion of Buddha Purnima!
