Ques. Critically analyse the concept of celebrating Buddha Purnima in India and other countries.
The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima. In his message, he has said that Lord Buddha’s timeless message of right conduct, universal love, compassion and tolerance continue to show the way to alleviate human suffering in our times.
Background:
Gautama Buddha was a spiritual teacher in India. Many scholars are uncertain when he lived. It is believed that Buddha was born at some time between sixth and fourth centuries BCE. Opinions among scholars are generally divided between those who place Buddha’s death about 480 BCE and those who place it as much as a century later.
Buddha was an influential spiritual teacher during and after his lifetime. Many Buddhists see him as the Supreme Buddha. Festivals to honor Buddha were held for many centuries. The decision to celebrate Vesak as the Buddha’s birthday was formalized at the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists. This conference was held in Col