why is buddha purnima celebrated?

Answer 1

Vesak is also known as Visakah Puja, *Buddha Purnima* or Buddha Jayanti in India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The exact date of Vesak, informally "Buddha's Birthday," is in the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar (typically May), coinciding with the first full moon of that month. The date varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar and actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment Nirvana, and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.

Tradition ascribes to the Buddha himself instruction on how to pay him homage. Just before he died, he saw his faithful attendant Ananda, weeping. The Buddha advised him not to weep, but to understand the universal law that all compounded things (including even his own body) must disintegrate. He advised everyone not to cry over the disintegration of the physical body but to regard his teachings (The Dhamma) as their teacher from then on, because only the Dhamma truth is eternal and not subject to the law of change. He also stressed that the way to pay homage to him was not merely by offering flowers, incense, and lights, but by truly and sincerely striving to follow his teachings. This is how devotees are expected to celebrate Vesak: to use the opportunity to reiterate their determination to lead noble lives, to develop their minds, to practise loving-kindness and to bring peace and harmony to humanity.

Answer 2

It's more often known as the Vesak, but it's signified as the unofficial "birthday" of the Buddha. It's also been noted as being the day the Buddha passed on, the day he attained enlightenment, etc. It's a pretty complex story to dish out, considering most of the Asian countries that practice Buddhism tend to have their own reasons & methods of celebrating. :)

And to the two above that want to chime in about Buddhism being a sleight against God due to worship of false idols, the Buddha is not a deital being, and most Buddhist sects respect his wish to not be idolized after his death. Perhaps instead of telling other people how to think, you should read up on things that you obviously don't completely understand.

Answer 3

Wish I knew the answer. But I wanted to apologize for those among us who lurk in the shadows, waiting to pounce on any opportunity to shove their believes up your butt.

I'll be watching this question in hopes you get a serious answer because I'd like to know also.

Answer 4

Beloved , believe not every spirit , but test the spirits whether they are of God , because many false prophets are gone out into the world

Answer 5

God of this world but not the true living God who is in heaven.