He said, "Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer badness with goodness. Conquer meanness with generosity. Conquer dishonesty with truth.” It is his glorious teachings and attempts to ignite mankind in the light of self–control, self-discipline and self-realisation, along with contentment and enlightenment, that we still respect him and remember his philosophy. In this world of violence, hatred, destructive materialism and selfishness, the essence of his wisdom seems all the more relevant. He is the Buddha, the enlightened one.
More than two thousand five hundred years ago, his appearance and subsequent messages for mankind created a radical change in people's thought process and mental horizon, not only in India but worldwide. His Birth Anniversary on the Full Moon Day of the Vaishakh month is celebrated as “Buddha Purnima.” This auspicious day has other significance, being the date of his attainment of enlightenment as well as the end of his mortal life. Hence, this day has a special significance for all the followers and devotees of the Buddha. This year, we are commemorating the 2587th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha as “Buddha Purnima” on the 12th of May 2025.
As per “Drik Panchang”, the ‘tithi’ for “Buddha Purnima” in 2025 is as follows:
We pay our respect to his values and wisdom, which is like a ray of light in the darkness of mundane thoughts and self-centred life. Not only the followers of Buddhism, but everyone, irrespective of their religion, remembers the great thinker on this day.
Gautama Buddha is mentioned as the 9th avatar of Lord Vishnu in Hindu Shastras, particularly in the Skanda Purana & Agni Purana. This perspective presents Buddha as an incarnation of the divine, sent to Earth to restore balance and righteousness in a time of moral decline. According to this belief, Buddha's teachings were intended to guide humanity towards spiritual enlightenment and moral conduct, aligning with the principles of dharma and truthfulness.
In the Hindu Dharma, Buddha's father is sometimes referred to as Śuddhodhana or Añjana, reflecting the complex interplay between Buddhist and Jain influences. Despite the variation in names, the underlying theme remains consistent: Buddha's divine mission to alleviate suffering and promote peace. Some texts even portray him as the prophesied figure destined to end the killing of animals, emphasising his compassionate nature and commitment to ahimsa (non-violence).
The recognition of Gautama Buddha as the 9th avatar of Lord Vishnu underscores the unity and interconnectedness of different spiritual traditions, emphasising the universal principles of compassion, truth, and righteousness that transcend cultural boundaries.
Buddha was born as Siddhārtha Gautama in Lumbini, now in Nepal. Although his exact birth and death times are uncertain, many historians believe that he was on the earth between 563-483 BC. His father was King Suddhodana, the head of the Shakya clan in the state of Kosala, and his mother was Queen Maya Devi. She died seven days after giving birth to Gautama Buddha. He got the lavish and prosperous upbringing of a prince and got married to Princess Yashodhara, the daughter of Koliya King Suppabuddha and Queen Amitha. They had a son named Rahula.
One day, while he was on a chariot ride in the city, he saw an old and handicapped man by the roadside. Again, on another day, he witnessed a sick man and a dead body being carried to the funeral ground. Feeling highly distressed by the sufferings caused by old age, physical handicaps, death, and other disasters, he decided to leave home and set out on a search for truth. Hence, at the age of 29, he left his royal life and the palace and initiated a spiritual pursuit, looking for enlightenment and finding a path to put an end to human suffering. This was the turning point of his life, the beginning of a new life outside the protection of the palace and setting out on a journey towards self- realisation.
Gautama’s journey through the lengths and breadths of India, his knowledge and wisdom and attainment of ‘Nirvana’ and becoming the Buddha have taught us the essence of a meaningful life and the great value of peace, morality and truth. After wandering through many places and experiencing suffering, he reached Bodh Gaya, where he sat under a tree. After forty-nine days of meditation, on the full moon of May, he finally attained nirvana, the state of permanence and became the Buddha, “One who is Enlightened.” Henceforth, his teachings have shown us the path of true life. He was an extraordinary human being who revealed a way of achieving true wisdom, compassion and freedom from suffering and taught us the immense value of peace, non-violence and tolerance, which is especially significant in today’s complex and hostile era.
The four noble truths of suffering, as said by the Buddha, are
Dukkha or the universal truth of suffering.
Everyone goes through some sort of suffering.
Samudaya or the reason behind the suffering.
The cause of suffering is our desire.
Nirodha or the end of suffering.
It is possible to get rid of suffering and achieve Nirvana.
Magga or the middle path for achieving Nirvana.
It is the middle way that will help us achieve enlightenment.
The middle way is a practical approach that is not very difficult to follow and is relevant for one and all. It tells us to avoid any kind of extremes, like the path of extreme luxury and indulgence as well as extreme suffering and pain, and follow a path that is a combination of both. This is the middle way that is simple and easy to follow.
Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path also teaches us the right approach to life, which includes:
Not only enlightenment, but also Buddha’s teachings help us in anger management. He said, “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” We can easily understand the evils of anger from this saying. He also said, “You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.” These quotes teach us the significance of kindness and compassion, and love for all.
A bodhisattva is a highly enlightened being in Buddhism who chooses to stay on Earth to help others instead of entering paradise. Famous advanced bodhisattvas, such as Avalokiteśvara, Kṣitigarbha, Mañjuśrī, Samantabhadra, and Vajrapāṇi, are regularly prayed to and given offerings. Texts and mantras associated with them are chanted in temples around the world, with devotees hoping that these compassionate bodhisattvas will hear their prayers and bless them with health, good fortune, and happiness.
Buddhists believe that celestial bodhisattvas live in heavenly realms called Pure Lands, located in distant dimensions of the cosmos. For example, the bodhisattva Maitreya is said to reside in the Tuṣita Heaven, waiting to be reborn as the next Buddha of our world. Bodhisattvas can manifest in different bodies simultaneously and appear on Earth in various forms, including as humans, animals, or other beings. Tibetan Buddhists, for instance, believe that the Dalai Lama is a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara (known as Chenrezig in Tibetan), who regularly comes to Earth to spread compassion.
Avalokiteśvara, also known as Guanyin in China, symbolises mercy and compassion, appearing in both male and female forms. The teachings about Avalokiteśvara are found in the Lotus Sutra, a key Mahayana Buddhist text from the first century AD. Avalokiteśvara's influence extends to literature, such as the 11th-century Japanese novel "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu.
A statue of Avalokiteśvara from the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) is on display at the St. Louis Art Museum, showing the bodhisattva in meditation, crafted from a single woodblock and decorated with quartz and carnelian. This statue, along with the prayers and mantras devoted to bodhisattvas, reflects their enduring spiritual significance and the belief in their compassionate intervention in the world.
Buddha has taught us many lessons of life wisely through various instances of life, which are now narrated as stories. These stories are based on daily life and its activities that teach us important lessons about life.
One story is about a conflict between people living on both sides of a river. They used the river water for their different kinds of businesses and other activities. Once a dispute arose between the people of both sides regarding the usage of water, wherein people of each side accused the other of overusing of river water. Disagreements became hostile, and they were up in odds, killing people. Buddha called the people from both sides and asked what they wanted to do. The aggressive crowd answered that they will not spare the opponents, hence continuing to shed blood and create a river of blood. Buddha answered that all of them are violent and vengeful against each other. However, it is not blood that is required for their livelihoods. They only need water. Buddha taught them that violence will only bring more violence and not solve their problem. They should learn from the river that selflessly gives water to all. We all can understand the uselessness of violence from this story.
Another story about Kisa Gotami teaches us the ultimate lesson about death being an inevitable part of life. Kisa Gotami had a son, who died a premature death. She was so sad at the death of her baby boy that nobody could console her. Then someone asked her to go to the Buddha for magic. She went there and begged for her son’s life. Buddha saw the grief-stricken mother and told her that he could bring her son back to life. She has to bring mustard seeds from a household that has never lost any member of the family. She looked for such a household but never found one. Every household lost some of its members of their family to death. All of them had gone through the pain of separation from their loved ones due to their demise. Then she came back to Buddha empty-handed as she realised that death is an inevitable part of life. This simple yet meaningful story tells us the ultimate and inevitable truth of life, that is, death and the pain related to the death of near ones.
Such simple stories and priceless lessons of Buddha have enriched us in countless ways. Contemporary times of unrest and violence need to look at the significance of his teachings for a better and peaceful world, devoid of violence and suffering.
As Buddha Purnima is all about truth, humanity, peace, and liberation, one should perform the following rituals keeping these four elements in mind:
Buddha Purnima isn’t just a festival. It’s a moment— quiet yet powerful one, to pause, reflect and contemplate on our very own existentialism -: what are we even doing here? Who are we beyond all the noise? The jobs, the relationships, the never-ending chasing?
The teachings of Gautam Buddha invite us to look inward, facing our own inhibitions, fears and find peace in the stillness of mind.
Vipassana (in Theravada Buddhism) practice is a mindfulness meditation technique aimed at calming your mind, observing your thoughts and seeing things as they are.
Gautam Buddha’s message was simple: Look within, that’s where the truth lives!
The Panchsheel—Buddha’s Five Precepts—are not mere ethical guidelines. They are foundational disciplines meant to purify the mind, guide the conduct, and align the individual with the path of liberation.
1. Reverence for All Beings
Recognise the sacredness of life in every form, whether human or animal, visible or unseen. We don't have the right to destroy any life.. Violence in action or intention fractures our inner clarity. The practice of non-violence is an active cultivation of empathy and restraint, especially in moments when anger, fear, or dominance tempt us otherwise.
2. Respect for What Is Not Freely Given
Stealing is not limited to material possessions. It includes the appropriation of time, trust, or emotional presence. To take what is not offered is to place one’s desire above the dignity of others. This precept asks us to live with integrity, to value consent in every transaction, and to reject any gain that comes through exploitation or deceit.
3. Commitment to Truthfulness
Speech is powerful. It can heal or it can destroy. To speak the truth is not simply to avoid lies, but to ensure that one’s words are sincere, necessary, and free of malice. Falsehood distorts reality, damages relationships, and clouds the mind. This principle is a call to inner alignment, about what we think, what we say, and how we act; it reflects a single truth.
4. Purity of Mind through Sobriety
Intoxicants impair discernment. They numb the mind, dilute awareness, and make us vulnerable to unwholesome impulses. This precept is not rooted in asceticism, but in wisdom—the understanding that a clear mind is essential for ethical living and spiritual insight. Abstaining from intoxicants is an offering we make to our own clarity and dignity.
5. Responsibility in Relationships
The misuse of sexual energy causes deep harm. Infidelity, coercion, or objectification violate the sanctity of a relationship and fracture trust. This precept urges restraint, respect, and responsibility in how we relate to others, especially where vulnerability and intimacy are involved. It is an invitation to honour love, not exploit it. These principles are not easy to follow.. They are practices that require vigilance, humility, and courage. If adhered to, it releases one from confusion and suffering caused by their violation.
The Buddha’s teachings are not philosophies to be admired from a distance. They are meant to be lived. They offer a map out of suffering—not by removing difficulty from life, but by transforming through it..
Gautam Buddha taught us the essence of self-realisation, morality and meditation to become free from suffering and also better human beings. Buddha also showed us the way of courage and truth, and living an ethical life free from fear by saying that "the whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you; depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed."
Let us be truthful and express our utmost gratitude to one of the greatest thinkers of the world, Gautama Buddha, not only on Buddha Purnima but also in our daily lives.
Do you want to seek clarity in your professional journey? A personalised career horoscope analysis by Smt. Ekktaa at Ekohumm can provide valuable insights into your strengths, opportunities, and direction. Let's align your career choices with your astrological profile and move forward with confidence and purpose.
A period of darkness doesn’t prevail throughout. Instead, it is replaced by a bright sunrise the next day. Our lives make a compilation of these dark and brighter days, helping us learn and grow with our experiences. Vedic Astrology, spirituality, numerology and coaching enable you to hone the power of optimism and triumph the darkness with a positive stride.
Apt No. 301, 3rd Floor, Akshay Vaibhav building, next to Solaris Gym, Baner, Pune - 411045
Copyright © 2026 Ekohumm. All Rights Reserved. Powered By: DigiHost Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd.