The Divine Life of Gautam Buddha
The Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama in 563
BC. He was an actual historical figure, a prince of the
Shakalyas, the people of a small state bordering modern India
and Nepal. He lived in a time of prosperity and social up heal.
At the age of sixteen, Siddhratha married a beautiful woman and
the had a son. The turning point in his life came when
Siddhartha was twenty-nine and he ventured outside the palace
grounds. He was caught by the sufferings of the world (old age,
sickness and death), left his wife, son and riches to become a
wandering ascetic in the search for enlightenment. He wandered to
many places and ultimately at the age of thirty-five he arrived
at Bodh Gaya, where he sat beneath a tree. He swore that he
would not rise until he had found enlightenment. After forty-nine
days of solitary meditation he attained nirvana, the state of
permanence. He thus became the Buddha "One who is fully Awake."
Celebrations and Rituals
The main celebrations of Buddha jayanti takes place in Bodh
gaya.On this large number of Buddhist devotees from all over the
world assemble to pay their respectful homage to Lord Buddha.
Besides decorating the temple and area around with colorful
Buddhist flags, the
morning prayer, colorful procession of the Monks, worship with
large offerings, distribution of sweets and snacks takes place.
In other places Prayers, sermons and non-stop recitations of
Buddhist scriptures resonate in monasteries, religious halls and
homes. On this day the Buddhists bathe and wear only white
clothes. People offer incense, flowers, candles and fruits to
the statue of Lord Buddha. They spend their entire day listening
to discourses on the life and teachings of the Buddha.
About Site