The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, will celebrate Ashadha Purnima on July 3, as the Dharma Chakra Pravartana Divas at the National Museum, New Delhi.
About Ashadha Purnima
- People celebrate Guru Purnima on the full moon day of the month of Ashadha every year as per the Indian lunar calendar.
- The day is also celebrated as Esala Poya in Sri Lanka and Asanha Bucha in Thailand.
- Gautam Buddha gave his first teaching after attaining Enlightenment to the first five ascetic disciples (pancavargiya) at ‘Deer Park’, Risipatana Mrigadaya, located in the present-day Sarnath, near Varanasi.
- This day is also aptly observed as Guru Purnima by both Buddhists and Hindus as a day to mark reverence to their gurus.
- This day also marks the beginning of the rainy season retreat for the Monks and Nuns also starts with this day.
- The season lasts for three months from July to October. During the season they remain in a single place, generally in their temples dedicated to intensive meditation.
About Guru Poornima
- According to the Hindu calendar, Guru Purnima generally falls on a full-moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadh.
- It is dedicated to Maharshi Veda Vyasa, the sage who is believed to have edited the sacred Hindu text, the Vedas and created the 18 Puranas, Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam.
- Buddhists celebrate the festival to mark the first sermon of Lord Buddha, which he is said to have delivered at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, on this very day.
- It is also believed to mark the onset of monsoons.
Significance of Ashadha Purnima
According to Lunisolar calendar or Purnimanta Panchang, each month is named on the full moon date based on the constellation in which the Moon is positioned. It is believed that in Ashadha month, on the full moon day, the Moon takes position in Purvashada or Uttarashada Nakshatra. If on the Full moon date of Ashada month, the Moon is in Uttarashada nakshatra, then that Purnima is considered as very auspicious and fortunate for seeking prosperity and abundance.
Moreover, on Ashadha Purnima, people observe Gopadam Vrat and offer special prayers to Lord Vishnu. It is said that Gopadm Vrat is very fruitful and bestows all kinds of blessings and happiness to the fast observer.
As the day is celebrated as Guru Purnima, the day has great significance in Hindu and Buddhist culture. On this day, people seek blessings of their Guru and seek their teachings.
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