Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: The Ministry of Culture along with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) celebrated the auspicious day of Vaisakh Purnima.
Vaishakh Buddha Purnima (also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti):
- It is the most sacred day of the year for Buddhists all over the world as it marks the three main events of Lord Buddha’s life –
- Birth (564 BC, Lumbini Province, Nepal),
- Enlightenment [Siddhartha became a Buddha (“enlightened one”)], and
- Mahaparinirvana [Kushinagar (India) is said to be the place of death of Gautama Buddha].
- Since 1999 it has also been recognised by the United Nations as the ‘UN Day of Vesak’.
- This year the Vaishakh Buddha Purnima is being celebrated on 5th May.
- The festival falls on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Vaishakh (April or May)
