Journalism of Courage
Buddha Purnima 2018: Here’s how the world is celebrating the birth of Gautam Buddha
1 / 19
You need a subscription to read this story. Republic Day Sale: Annual pack at Rs 999Already a subscriber? Sign In
This content is exclusive for our subscribers.Subscribe to get unlimited access to The Indian Express exclusive and premium stories.
2 / 19People visit the holy shrines of Lord Buddha and offer him prayers on this day. In some countries, people also release birds, insects and animals as an act of “liberation” to spread Buddha’s message as a ritual. (Photo: Reuters)
3 / 19Buddhist community of Kolkata assemble at Maha Bodhi Society of India, Kolkata on the occasion of Buddha Purnima to commemorate the 2562th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha on April 29, 2018. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
4 / 19The supreme lord descended as Buddha in Lumbini (Nepal). He appeared at the house of King Shuddhodhana and Queen Anjana (Maya Devi). The exact year in which he appeared is a subject of discussion. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
5 / 19As per the Theravada tradition, they accept his lifetime to be in between 563-483 BC. On the night of the divine conception, his mother dreamt that a white elephant with tusks entered her right side and after ten months, Lord Buddha was born. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
6 / 19His name was Siddharth and he grew up in the kingdom of Kapilavastu, which was ruled by his father. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
7 / 19In his childhood, an astrologer predicted about the future renunciation of child Siddhartha and also told his parents that their son would become a saint. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
8 / 19Afraid of losing their son, they tried to confine him in material entrapments and kept away all sorts of items which would let his internal renunciation manifest. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
9 / 19Buddha's relic casket displayed at Maha Bodhi Society of India, Kolkata. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
10 / 19A cute Buddhist child at Maha Bodhi Society of India on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
11 / 19A Buddhist devotee helps her child to pour water on a Buddha statue to celebrate the full-moon day of Kasone, also know as Buddha Day, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. (Photo: AP)
12 / 19A child carries a water pot on her head to pour at the foot of a banyan tree to celebrate Buddha Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. (Photo: AP)
13 / 19A devotee places flowers in front of a statue of Lord Buddha at a temple on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. (Photo: Reuters)
14 / 19A monk gives blessings to an infant at a temple on the occasion of Buddha Purnima festival. (Photo: Reuters)
15 / 19A Buddhist devotee offers prayers on Vesak day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, at a temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo: Reuters)
16 / 19Maha Bodhi temple illuminated with lights ahead of Buddha Jayanti celebrations in Bodh Gaya. (Photo: PTI)
17 / 19Buddhist monks prepare ahead of Buddha Purnima celebrations in Bhopal. (Photo: PTI)
18 / 19Buddhist monks participate in preparation work ahead of Buddha Purnima at Sambodhi Buddhist Monastery in Kolkata. (Photo: PTI)
19 / 19People pray at a religious site in front of the Royal Palace during Vesak Bochea Day, to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo: Reuters)
