# Buddha Purnima: Key Festival Celebrating Birth, Enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha

*Buddha Purnima, the principal festival of the Buddhist community, commemorates three significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha.*

June 13, 2026 · Religion

## At a glance

- Buddha Purnima commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha.
- Celebrations include Buddha Puja, Panchasheel, Ashtasheel, Sutra recitation, and collective prayers.
- Many Buddhist Viharas host three-day programs and the day is a public holiday.

Buddha Purnima, the principal festival of the Buddhist community, is celebrated on the full moon day of the Bengali month of Baishakh. This day marks three significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha: his birth in 623 BCE, his attainment of enlightenment in 588 BCE, and his Mahaparinirvana in 543 BCE. These events are commemorated with various religious and cultural activities.

On Buddha Purnima, Buddhists engage in Buddha Puja, Panchasheel, Ashtasheel, Sutra recitation, collective prayers, and various other religious ceremonies. Social, cultural, and religious events are organized in Buddhist Viharas, where discussions on Buddha's life and religious gatherings take place. Many Viharas host three-day programs centered around this Purnima. As a Buddhist religious festival, this day is a public holiday.

## Traditions and Celebrations

The celebrations include Buddha Puja, Panchasheel, Ashtasheel, Sutra recitation, collective prayers, and various other religious ceremonies. Social, cultural, and religious events are organized in Buddhist Viharas, where discussions on Buddha's life and religious gatherings take place. Many Viharas host three-day programs centered around this Purnima.

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Source: https://pulsetoday.com.bd/en/religion/buddha-purnima-buddhist-festival