Taking Refuge in the Buddha: From Darkness to Light

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-realization, 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 the thought process and mental horizon of people not only in India but worldwide. His Birth Anniversary on the Full Moon Day of 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 2586th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha as “Buddha Purnima” on 23rd May ’24.

As per “Drik Panchang”, the ‘tithi’ for “Buddha Purnima” in ’24 is as follows:

Buddha Purnima on Thursday, 23rd May ’24

• Purnima Tithi Begins - 06:47 PM on 22nd May ’24
• Purnima Tithi Ends - 07:22 PM on 23rd May ’24

We pay our respect to his values and wisdom which is like a ray of light in the darkness of mundane thoughts and self-centered life. Not only the followers of Buddhism, but everyone irrespective of their religion remembers the great thinker on this day.

Gautama Buddha: The Ninth Avatar Of Lord Vishnu

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 Hindu Dhaema, 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, emphasizing 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, emphasizing the universal principles of compassion, truth, and righteousness that transcend cultural boundaries.

More about Gautama Buddha: His Path to Enlightenment

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 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-realization.

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 by Gautama Buddha:

The four noble truths of suffering as said by the Buddha are

(1) Dukkha or the universal truth of suffering.

Everyone goes through some sort of suffering.

(2) Samudaya or the reason behind the suffering.

The cause of suffering is our desire.

(3) Nirodha or the end of suffering.

It is possible to get rid of suffering and achieve Nirvana.

(4) Magga or the middle path for achieving Nirvana.

It is the middle way that will help us in achieving 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, these include:

(1) Right View means we should see things as they are, not as we wish them to be.

(2) Right Thought means we should think about things in a realistic way.

(3) Right Speech means speaking the truth and always preventing lies.

(4) Right Action means doing the right thing and not committing any crime, following violence etc.

(5) Right Livelihood refers to earning a livelihood in a truthful and honest way, without hurting or cheating anyone.

(6) Right Effort means taking the right action and following the path of truthfulness.

(7) Right Mindfulness means being aware and awake and focusing on a good life.

(8) Right Concentration is also concerned with focus and meditation to get freedom from pain and suffering.

Not only enlightenment, but Buddha’s teachings also help us in anger management too. 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.

Bodhisattva:

A bodhisattva is a highly enlightened being in Buddhism who chooses to stay on the 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, symbolizes 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.

Legends related to Gautama Buddha:

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 over-usage of river water. Disagreements became hostile and they were up in arms, 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 revengeful 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 can bring her son back to life. She has to bring mustard seeds from a household that never lost any member of the family. She looked for such a household but never found one. Every household lost some of the 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 realized 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.

Rituals and Observances on Buddha Purnima:

As Buddha Purnima is all about truth, humanity, peace, and liberation, one should perform the following rituals keeping this four elements in mind:

• As per religious beliefs, Goddess Lakshmi is considered to reside on Peepal tree on full moon day, i.e. Purnima. Hence, people are involved in worshiping Maa Lakshmi, keeping sweet items under the Peepal tree & watering it on the auspicious day of Buddha Purnima to gain wealth and prosperity.
• Many devotees offer 10 cowries & apply turmeric tilak to Goddess Lakshmi during Puja. After that, these cowries are tied to a red cloth & kept in a safe place to get relief from all the problems in life.
• People wear white clean clothes on “Buddha Purnima” and keep a strict fast abstaining from non-vegetarian & non Sattvic food.
• Many people decorate the statue of the Bodhi Tree with beautiful flowers and lights on this day, making it look attractive and festive. The Bodhi Tree holds special significance in Buddhism as the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, and decorating its statue is a way to honor and celebrate its importance.
• The most important ritual of Buddha Purnima is “Chandra Puja.” People pray to the Lord Moon on this day by offering rice mixed with milk and sugar.
• On “Buddha Purnima”, sitting in moonlight for some time, doing japas of Lord Shiva or mindfulness meditation is considered very auspicious.
• Performing yoga & meditation on this day is also considered very blissful as these activities help in awakening our inner power, opening knowledge, and getting success in life.

Spiritual Significance of Buddha Purnima:

Buddha Purnima serves as a profound reminder of our spiritual journey and the quest for enlightenment. On this auspicious day, we are encouraged to reflect on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and their timeless relevance in guiding us towards inner peace and fulfillment.

The significance of Buddha Purnima lies in its message of self-discovery and the realization of our true life's purpose. It teaches us to look inward, to explore the depths of our consciousness, and to seek answers to life's fundamental questions. Through meditation, contemplation, and introspection, we embark on a journey of self-awareness and self-transformation, uncovering the innate wisdom and compassion that lie within us.

Buddha Purnima inspires us to embrace the path of righteousness and virtue, as exemplified by the Buddha's teachings of non-violence, compassion, and ethical living. By embodying these principles in our daily lives, we cultivate inner peace, harmony, and spiritual growth.

Moreover, Buddha Purnima encourages us to let go of attachments and desires that bind us to suffering and to embrace the impermanent nature of existence. It teaches us to live mindfully, to cherish the present moment, and to appreciate the interconnectedness of all life.

Ultimately, Buddha Purnima serves as a beacon of light on our spiritual journey, guiding us towards the realization of our highest potential and the attainment of enlightenment. It reminds us that true happiness and fulfillment lie not in external possessions or achievements but in the awakening of our innermost being.

Five Principles (Panchsheel) to be followed on Buddha Purnima:

As taught by Buddha in his Noble Eightfold path, there are five principles, known as “Panchsheel”, that are suggested to be followed in life to attain enlightenment and mindfulness.

1. Abstain from Killing

Following Buddha's teaching of non-violence, refraining from killing promotes compassion and respect for all living beings, fostering harmony in the world.

2. Abstain from Stealing

By adhering to the principle of honesty and integrity, abstaining from stealing cultivates trust and promotes a sense of fairness and justice in society.

3. Practice Truthfulness

Upholding the value of honesty, refraining from lying fosters transparency and authenticity in relationships, leading to deeper connections and mutual understanding.

4. Abstain from Intoxicants

Avoiding the consumption of alcohol and drugs preserves mental clarity and mindfulness, enabling individuals to make wise decisions and live with greater awareness.

5. Not to Commit Infidelity

By respecting the commitments and boundaries of relationships, refraining from infidelity fosters trust, loyalty, and emotional stability, promoting healthy and harmonious partnerships.

By adhering to these principles of ethical living, as taught by Buddha, individuals cultivate mindfulness and lead a blissful life filled with peace, harmony, and compassion towards all beings.

Teachings of Buddha to Embrace in Life:

The teachings of Gautama Buddha have guided countless individuals on the path to enlightenment, transforming lives through wisdom and compassion. Embracing these teachings leads to inner peace and a deeper understanding of the nature of existence. Some of them are as follows:

• Practice Compassion
  Practicing compassion, as taught by Buddha, fosters kindness and understanding, building strong and positive relationships that enrich our lives.
• Embrace Mindfulness
  Embracing mindfulness reduces stress and enhances our enjoyment of life by keeping us anchored in the present moment.
• Cultivate Wisdom
  Cultivating wisdom through Buddha’s teachings empowers us to make better decisions and find deeper meaning in life, guiding us towards enlightenment.
• Live Ethically
  Living ethically, in accordance with Buddha’s moral principles, ensures our actions do not harm others, thereby promoting peace and harmony in every situation and circumstance.
• Let go of Attachments
  Letting go of attachments, as Buddha advises, reduces suffering and leads to inner peace by freeing us from desires and clinging.
• Embrace Change
  Embracing change, as emphasized by Buddha, nurtures adaptability and resilience by helping us understand the impermanent nature of everything in life.
• Practice Patience
  Practicing patience, a core tenet of Buddha’s teachings, cultivates tolerance and calmness, enabling us to handle difficulties with grace and reduce stress.
• Seek Inner Peace
  Seeking inner peace through regular meditation, as Buddha advocates, calms the mind and leads to tranquility and better mental health.
• Simple Living , High Thinking (Saada Jeevan, Uchha Vichaar)
  Living in a simple way, as encouraged by Buddha, brings contentment and reduces unnecessary stress by focusing on essentials and avoiding excessive materialism.
• Be Grateful
  Being grateful, a fundamental aspect of Buddha’s wisdom, enhances overall happiness and well-being by encouraging us to appreciate what we have and regularly express gratitude.

Conclusion:

Buddha taught us the essence of self-realization, 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. He said "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.