People take out a procession carrying the image of Lord Buddha marking the 2552nd Buddha Jayanti, the birth day of Lord Buddha, in Kathmandu, Tuesday, May 20 08

The 2552nd Buddha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the apostle of peace, is being observed Tuesday by organising various programmes with the message of peace and harmony among people.

As the birth, enlightenment and Nirvana of Lord Buddha falls on the same day of the full moon of the fourth lunar month (month of Baisakh), Buddhists around the world, including Nepal, observe Buddha Jayanti with respect and devotion to Buddha.

Gautam Buddha’s philosophy of Buddhism does not entail any theistic world-view. The teachings of the Buddha are solely to liberate human beings from the misery and sufferings of life.

With the realisation that there was more to life than the lavish and luxurious life he was leading, Prince Siddharth Gautam, who was born in the southern Terai region of Nepal in about 543 BC, left his palace in search for enlightenment and the true meaning of life. After much wandering and searching, Gautam finally attained enlightenment while meditating under a pipal tree. Henceforth, known as the “Buddha” or “the enlightened one” he began to preach “The Four Noble Truths” to all who would listen. According to this doctrine, people suffer because of their desires and the root cause of all misery is desire. These desires and consequently all problems can be totally eliminated by following the “eightfold path”- right conduct, right motive, right speech, right effort, right resolve, right livelihood, right attention and right meditation to gain mastery over suffering. Gautama Buddha lived and taught in northern India in the 6th Century B.C.

Buddha traveled far and wide teaching hundreds of followers. Even after death his disciples continued to spread his teachings.

The United Nations has been observing the Anniversary of Lord Buddha as a
public holiday since 2002.

The books on teachings and messages of Lord Buddha are said to be the largest publication throughout the world.

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated in all the Buddhist nations rejoicing the victory of Prince Siddhartha of Lumbini over pain, suffering and self.

The Buddhist monks say the day should carry special message of tolerance and self-discipline among all the Nepalis to establish permanent peace in the country.

Teachings of Lord Buddha are included in the world’s highly prestigious universities including the Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard.

Lord Buddha, during his 80 year life, carried out a total of 84 thousand discourses which are compiled in various books including ‘Binaya’, Sutta, Abhidhamma and Tripitak.

Buddhists around the world today organize a variety of programmes at the Buddhist religious sites and spread the message of world peace of Lord Gautam Buddha.

(Source: Nepalnews)