D R Bhagat
Budh Purnima is a unique day in the history of Budhism because it is the day when its founder Lord Buddha was born, got enlightened and also got Mahanirvana after completing his life stint of 80 years. Buddha after leaving all his princely comforts set out his journey in search of the truth. He started severe austerities which was the way of that time to become an ascetic. He started fasting for many days and putting his body in unfavorable conditions and became very weak. But at last he came to know that there is no need of practising severe austerities and weakening your body because a strong body has a strong mind. He came to know that food is vital source of energy to keep our body and mind fit, alert and active. Body, mind and intellect have to work in unison.
Budh Purnima Special
After visiting many places in search of the truth he reached Bodh Gaya and sat under a banyan tree and meditated there continuously for 49 days after which he was enlightened with divine thoughts. He then decided to spread his philosophy of spirituality. For his mission he first visited Sarnath to preach his thoughts. He also formed a group of monks and nuns known as Sangha to preach his teachings besides himself. He gave four noble truths which are as under- 1) Life often involves sufferings 2) The reason for the sufferings is the desire and attachment 3 ) To cure sufferings we have to stop wanting 4) The way to stop wants is not to change things but to change our own mind. He also gave the eight fold path which when adopted can relieve you from sufferings. This path includes right thought, right speech, right actions, right livelihood, right efforts, right mindfulness and right concentration.
Buddha said that his religion is neither an arduous path and nor a simple one. He said that one should adopt the middle path. Once Buddha visited a village named Kalama accompanied by some other Bhikshus. The people told them that some brahmins had also visited this village and asked them to follow their tenets and also criticized other religions which confused them. He advised them, “Do not believe in rumour, or in anything, merely because it is accepted by me or it is based on some seemingly brilliant authority or some ancient and venerable tradition, or it seems extraordinary. But accept it and then live upon only when after observation, analysis and reflection it is found in accord with reason and experience and is also conducive to general good”. Buddha said that death is an established certainty and one should accept it happily. As per a legend a woman named Krishna Gautmi was married in a prosperous family. She had a son and was highly attached to him. One day all of a sudden the son expired. Gautmi in grief lifted the dead body of her son and roamed from one place to another and asking everybody to revive her son. People were highly pained to see her pathetic condition but they could do nothing for her. Then someone suggested her to visit Gautam Buddha who might be able to revive her son. Gautmi in a hope went to Buddha who was at that time staying around that place. Weeping profusely, she humbly pleaded Buddha to revive his son. Buddha uttered, “One who is born has to leave this physical body one day, as death is an eternal reality”. But Gautmi was not consoled and again prayed Gautam to revive his son. In order to make her the truth known Buddha said, ” For revival of your son you have to bring some seeds of yellow mustard that too from a house where no death has taken place so far”. Gautmi said she can manage such seeds. She along with the body of her son went from door to door and could not find a single house where no death had occurred. She started realizing reality and after placing the body of her son in a nearby jungle, returned to Buddha and uttered, “Lord, now I have understood the reality”. She was then ordained by Buddha and became an enlightened nun.
Though Budhism was born in India, it spread in other countries like Tibet, Sri Lanka, China, Mangolia, Japan and Korea. The great Maurya king Ashoka after the battle of Kalinga embraced Budhism and spread its message far and wide. One of the greatest intellect and social reformer of India Dr. B.R.Ambedkar also embraced Budhism after he was convinced that it teaches humanity. In India the regions where most of the population of Budhists reside are Maharashtra, Utter Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Laddakh.
The Budhpurnima is celebrated in many parts of India but the main functions are held at Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Rajgir and Khushinagar. The life of Gautam Buddha is quite fascinating and inspiring. The advent of the Buddha is one of the most momentous events of human history and civilization. What the enlightened one practised and preached is a proud possession of our common ancient heritage. He showed us the path of liberation and Nirvana. Buddha, Sangha and Dharma are the three jewels of Budhism which refer to Budha’s teachings, institution of Budhism and practices and preaching of Budhism. The teachings of Buddha have a universal appeal which is a dominant factor in the spread of Buddhism. Buddha’s message of love, compassion and a disciplined and recluse life are some of the traits of his philosophy which are relevant even today in this era of desires, hate and sufferings.
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