Ashadha Purnima

Ashadha Purnima

Context:

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) celebrated Ashadha Purnima on 3 July, 2023 as Dharma Chakra Pravartana Divas.

About Ashadha Purnima:

  • The day marks Buddha’s first teaching (sermon) after attaining Enlightenment to the first five ascetic disciples.
  • Location – ‘Deer Park’, iipatana Mrigadaya in the present day Sarnath, near Varanasi.
  • This teaching of Dhamma Chakka-Pavattana Sutta (Pali) or Dharma chakra Pravartana Sutra (Sanskrit) is also known as the First Turning of Wheels of Dharma and comprises the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path.
  • The day is also observed as Guru Poornima by both Buddhists and Hindus as a day to mark reverence to their Gurus.
  • The day marks the establishment of the Sangha, on a full-moon day of the month of Asadha, in the Indian Sun calendar.
  • It is the 2nd most important sacred day of observance for Buddhists.
  • Known as Esala Poya in Sri Lanka and Asanha Bucha in Thailand.
  • It is also believed to mark the onset of monsoons.

4 main places related to Buddha

  1. Bodh Gaya: Enlightenment
  2. Sarnath: first sermon
  3. Shravasti: Chaturmases and gave most of the sermons
  4. Kushinagar: Mahaparinirvana

Vaishakh Buddha Purnima:

  • It is the most sacred day of the year for Buddhists.
  • It marks the Birth, Enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha’s life.
  • The day has been recognised by the United Nations as the ‘UN Day of Vesak’.

The International Buddhist Confederation:

  • It is the biggest religious Buddhist confederation in the world.
  • Founded in 2011
  • Headquarters – New Delhi
  • Aim – To represent a united front for Buddhism.

Source: PIB

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