The 2566th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, known as Buddha Jayanti, is being commemorated across Nepal to honor his contribution to the foundation of world peace.
Buddha, the ninth incarnation of Lord Bishnu, was born on Shukla Purnima in the lunar month of Baisakh. The dates (lunar calendar) of the Buddha’s birth, wisdom, and mahaparinirvan (death) all fall on the same day. The Day is revered by Buddhist communities all across the world, including in Nepal.
The birth anniversary of Buddha, the apostle of nonviolence and peace, is being commemorated in monasteries by spiritual leaders and gurus. The government has urged everyone to light their houses in honor of Buddha Jayanti.
On Buddha Jayanti, major celebrations are being organized in Lumbini, Swayambhu, and Bauddha.
Buddha, born into the royal family of King Suddhodhan and Queen Mayadevi, left his palace for penance at the age of 29. He is also known as the “Light of Asia.”
Buddhist philosophy is taught at world-renowned universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. In Nepal, MA programs in Buddhist philosophy are available at Tribhuvan University, Nepal Sanskrit University, and Lumbini Bauddha University.
The teachings and discourses delivered by Lord Buddha during his 80-year life are compiled in ‘binaya,”sutta,’ ‘abhidhamma,’ and ‘tripitak.’