News:Indian Prime Minister will participate in the Buddha Purnima celebrations.
Facts:
- Buddha Purnima also known as Vesak Purnima is the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
- The day commemorates birth, enlightenment and Death (or Parinirvana) of Lord Buddha, all of which is said to have taken place on the same day.
- The United Nations General Assembly by its resolution in 1999 recognized internationally the Buddha Purnima.It was done to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism made to humanity.
Additional Facts:
Main places associated with Gautam Buddha:
- Lumbini (Nepal): Birthplace
- Bodh Gaya (Bihar): Enlightenment under the Mahabodhi tree.
- Sarnath(Varanasi): Delivered his first sermon.
- Kushinagar(Uttar Pradesh): Attained Parinirvana after his death
- Apart from these, Sravasti, Rajgir, Sankassa and Vaishali are also closely associated with the life of Gautam Buddha.