Buddha Purnima 2023: Know date, time, significance, shubh muhurat, holiday, quotes and other details

Buddha Purnima is the most significant festival for Buddhists across the world. Buddhist sects throughout the world celebrate this auspicious day with great enthusiasm as it commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and demise of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The festival falls on Purnima, the first full moon day of Vaisakha, a month in Hinduism that corresponds to April or May in the Gregorian calendar. This year, Buddha Purnima will be celebrated on Friday, May 5. The festival is known as Vesak and Buddha Jayanti.

 Buddha Purnima 2023: Date and Time

This year Buddha Purnima begins at 11:44 PM on May 04, 2023, and ends at 11:03 PM on May 05, 2023.

Buddha Purnima 2023: Significance

The date and time of Lord Budhha's birth and death are uncertain but it is believed that all three important events in Buddha's life – his birth, enlightenment, and salvation happened the same day. However, this coincidence gives the day great significance in Buddhism.

World Fellowship of Buddhists decided to celebrate Buddha’s birth anniversary on the first full moon day of Vaisakha in May 1960.

Buddha Purnima 2023: How to celebrate

Devotees visit monasteries and pilgrimage sites, light candles, and offer prayers on this day.

In India, it is observed on a grand scale in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Sarnath.

Buddha Purnima 2023: Holiday

Post offices, government offices, and banks will be closed on Buddha Purnima as it is a gazetted holiday in India. Buddhist-owned shops may not be open on the festival day.

Buddha Purnima 2023: Quotes by Buddha

"Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have."

"Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most."

"Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have."

"Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts."

"The quieter you become, the more you can hear."

"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you."