Siddhartha Gautama Archives

Celebrating Vesak – By Niranjan Selvadurai Vesak holds a profound significance for over 500 million Buddhists scattered around the globe, as a time to celebrate the life, teachings, and spiritual legacy of Gautama Buddha. Falling on the day of the full moon during the month of May, Vesak commemorates the birth, the awakening (Bodhi), and the passing away (Parinirvana) of Siddhartha Gautama who is referred to as the Buddha – “the awakened one.” Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, current Nepal, around 563 BCE. At the age of 35 he realised his awakening under a Bo tree in Gaya, India. At the age of 80 he passed away in Kusinara, India. This symbolised his final liberation from the cycle of birth and death known as samsara. All three events took place on the Vesak full moon day. After his awakening, the Buddha spent the next 45 years teaching the Dharma ...

The Significance of Vesak – by Gold Coast Buddhist Centre Source:Daehaena – Monthly Newsletter – May 2021 – Radio 4EB Sri Lankan Group The Lumbini park was abundant with Sal trees in full bloom. Flowers that have fallen from trees formed a soft carpet on the ground. On the full moon day in the month of Vesak, Queen Maha Maya, who was pregnant, was on a journey through the Sal grove to see her parents. On her way, she gave birth to a prince in the Sal grove. This was about 2644 years ago. The prince was named Siddhartha Gautama. He lived in a palace with every luxury at his command. At a young age, he was confronted with the reality of life and the suffering of humankind. Siddhartha, at the age of 29 years, gave up his wealth and position as a prince to seek enlightenment as a spiritual ...