Buddha Purnima
The Background
This is the most important festival for Buddhists.It's celeberated with great enthusiasm on Purnima ( Full Moon Day) of a particular hindu month Vaishaakha (April-May). The life of their supreme spiritual redeemer Lord Buddha evolved around this day. He was born on this day and his Nirvana also occured on this very day. Not only this, he also attained the Enlightenment on the same day. However, there is not a concensus among Buddhists about this three fold coincidence. Some Buddhists,except Theravadas celebrate these events on different dates.This day is known as Vesak among Theravadas ( An orthodox sect of Buddhists ). Tibetan call it Sa-Ga Zla-Ba and Sri Lankans call it Vishakha Pujain.Saga Dasa in Sikkim,Vishakha Bucha in Thiland, Phat Dan in Vietnam,Waisak in Indonesia.
According to Buddhist mythology, Buddha's wife Yashodhara, his first disciple Ananda, His Charioteer Channa and his horse Kantaka on which he left his home, the tree ( Boddhi tree ) under this he attained Sambodhi (Enlighenment). He also gave his first sermon or 'Dhamma Chakka Pavattan' in Pali Texts on this day at Varanasi.
The Celebration
Buddha Purnima Prayers, sermons, recitation of Buddhist scripture are the main activities. Monks, and devoties meditate and worship Buddha. Fruits and flowers are offered to his statue and to the Bodhi Tree ( Peepal ). The branches of the trees are garlanded and decorated. Lamps are lit around the tree. Milk and scented waters are sprinkled on it's roots.The devotees of this religion wear only white clothes and give alms to the monks. They listen to the discourses and reaffirm their faith in the five basic principles of Buddhism,Panchsheel. They don't take meat on this auspicious day.Kheer ( sweet dish of milk and rice) is prepared.They distribute food and clothes to poor and free birds from cages.
The Rainbow
In India - This is celebrated with great funfare in this land of Buddha himself. Some most important Buddist pilgrimages are in India. Uruvela ( Modern Bodh Gaya ), the site of his enlightenment;Sarnath, the place of his first sermon;Kushinagar, where he passed away; Sanchi Stupa and Ajanta Caves are among them. Buddhists in India and the tourists from rest of the world gather here and celebrate this festival with great excitement and devotion.In Nepal - The birth place of Lord Buddha is at Lumbini near Shakyan capital of Kapilvastu. Some of the stupas built by king Ashoka still remain here. Svayambhunath and Bodhnath (Kathmandu) are some of them. This festival is also celebrated here.