Buddha Jayanti being celebrated today

KATHMANDU: Buddha Jayanti, the 2567th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, is being observed across the country by commemorating his contributions to the establishment of world peace. Buddha, regarded as the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born on Shukla Purnima of Baisakh month in the lunar calendar. There is a coincidence that the dates Buddha was born, gained wisdom, and Mahaparinirvan (passing away) fall on the same day in the lunar calendar. 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 masters at monasteries. The government has appealed to all people to observe the Buddha Jayanti with illumination at home. Grand programmes are being held in Lumbini, Swayambhu, and Bouddha on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti. Buddha, who was born in the royal family of King Suddhodhan and Queen Mayadevi 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 (LBU) in Nepal. The teaching and sermons preached 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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