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Buddha Purnima /
Jayanti is celebrated all over the world in different place. Pilgrims come
from all over the world to Bodh Gaya to attend the Buddha Poornima
celebrations. The day is marked with prayer meets, sermons on the life of
Gautam Buddha, religious discourses, continuous recitation of Buddhist
scriptures, group meditation, processions, worship of the statue of Buddha
and symposia. |
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The Mahabodhi Temple wears a festive look and is
decorated with colourful flags and flowers. Celebration of this festival has
been recorded by the Chinese scholar, Fa-Hien.
On this Holy day the Buddhists bathe and wear
only white clothes. They gather in their viharas for worship and give alms to
monks. Many spend their entire day at the vihara listening to discourses on the
life and teachings of the Buddha or invite monks to their homes. On Buddha
Purnima, Buddhists refrain from eating meat and eat kheer or rice cooked in milk
and sugar, which they share with the poor. They set up stalls in public places
to offer others clean drinking water and also show kindness to animals.
Devotees reaffirm their faith in the five principles called
Panchsheel:
1. not to take life
2. not to steal
3. not to lie
4. not to consume liquor or other intoxicants
5. not to commit adultery |
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