2566th Buddha Jayanti being observed across the country today

KATHMANDU: Buddha Jayanti, the 2566th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, is being observed across the country by commemorating his contribution to the establishment of world peace. Buddha, regarded as the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born on Baisakh Shukla Purnima in the lunar calendar. There is a coincidence that Buddha was born, enlightened and achieved Mahaparinirvan (passing away) on the same date. The Buddhist communities in the world including Nepal observe the day with much reverence. The birth anniversary of Buddha, the apostle of non-violence and peace, is being observed with spiritual leaders and gurus at monasteries. The government has appealed to all people to observe the Buddha Jayanti with illumination at home. Grand programmes are being held at Lumbini, Swayambhu, and Boudhanath today. Buddha was born in the royal family of King Suddhodhan and Queen Mayadevi. He had left his palace at the age of 29 for penance. He is also regarded as the 'Light of Asia'. Buddhist philosophy is taught in internationally acclaimed universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard. There are also MA level programmes on Buddhist philosophy at Tribhuvan University, Nepal Sanskrit University, and Lumbini Buddhist University in Nepal. The teaching and sermons given by Lord Buddha during his lifetime of 80 years are collected in 'Tripiṭaka' — composed of three main categories of texts that collectively constitute the Buddhist canon: Sutra Piṭaka, Vinaya Piṭaka and Abhidhamma Piṭaka. READ ALSO:

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