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This year’s Buddha Purnima is special because it marks 2500 years since the First Buddhist council was convened. The teachings of the Buddha are as relevant today as they were then, and this holiday is a time to reflect on their importance. Unfortunately, many people don’t know much about Buddhism or its holidays. In this blog post, we will discuss the First Buddhist council and why it was convened. We will also talk about the causes of the decline in Buddhism and what we can do to prevent it.
Buddha Purnima:
Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, is a special day for Buddhists all over the world. It commemorates the day of Siddhartha Gautama’s enlightenment and is celebrated on the full moon in May. This year (2022), Buddha Purnima falls on May 16th.
Significance of Buddha Purnima:
Buddha Purnima is a special day for Buddhists all over the world. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. On this day, Buddhists remember the great teacher’s teachings and strive to live by them in their daily lives. Siddhārtha Gautama was born into a royal family in Lumbini, Nepal. He left his palace and comfortable life to search for the truth about life. After years of study and meditation, he finally attained enlightenment at the age of 35.
Buddha then spent the rest of his life teaching others what he had learned. He was a compassionate teacher who welcomed people from all walks of life. His message of love and understanding touched the hearts of many and continues to do so today.
Buddha Purnima is also significant because it marks the first Buddhist council. After Buddha’s death, his disciples came together to discuss his teachings and ensure that they would be preserved for future generations. This council was important in the development of Buddhism and the Spread of Buddhist teachings.
How is Buddha Purnima Celebrated?
Buddha Purnima is a special day for Buddhists all over the world. It marks the day when Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, attained enlightenment and became Buddha.
On this day, Buddhists remember and reflect on the life and teachings of Buddha. They also reaffirm their commitment to following the path of Buddha: the path of truth, love, compassion and wisdom.
First Buddhist council
The First Buddhist council was held on this day, just after the Buddha’s death. The council was convened to preserve the Buddha’s teachings and ensure that they would be accurately passed down to future generations.
Just after the death of the Buddha, the First Buddhist Council was convened by Maha Kassapa. It was held in Rajagaha, India, and lasted for seven months. The council was attended by 500 monks who were disciples of the Buddha.
The purpose of the council was to preserve the Buddha’s teachings and ensure that they would be accurately passed down to future generations. The council was also tasked with settling any disputes that had arisen within the monastic community.
The First Buddhist Council is considered to be a very important event in the history of Buddhism. It was at this council that the Tripitaka, the Buddhist canon, was compiled and written down for the first time. This compilation ensured that the Buddha’s teachings would be accurately preserved and passed down to future generations.
The First Buddhist Council is also significant because it marked the beginning of the schism between the Theravada and Mahayana schools of Buddhism. The Theravada school holds that the Tripitaka is the only authoritative source of the Buddha’s teachings, while the Mahayana school believes that there are other, equally valid sources of the Buddha’s teachings.
Causes of Decline of Buddhism:
Buddhism flourished for centuries after Buddha’s death. However, it began to decline in India around the 13th century. There are several reasons for this decline. They are :
– The Muslim invasions of India: These attacks began in the 12th century and continued for centuries. They resulted in the destruction of many Buddhist temples and monasteries.
– The rise of Hinduism: As Buddhism declined, Hinduism became the dominant religion in India. This was due to a number of factors, including the popularity of Hindu saints and the rise of Hindu kings.
– The arrival of the Europeans: The European colonisation of India began in the 16th century. The British rulers favoured Christianity and worked to promote it. They also discouraged the practice of Buddhism.
Despite these challenges, Buddhism has survived till today. There are still many Buddhists in India and other parts of the world. In Buddha Purnima, we remember his teachings and strive to follow them in our own lives. Let us all work together to keep the Buddhist flame burning brightly for generations to come.
Conclusion:
Buddha was born into a wealthy family, but he renounced all material possessions and became a monk after seeing the suffering in the world. He believed that by becoming a monk, he could focus on his spiritual practice and helping others. However, some historians believe that the First Buddhist Council, which was held after his death. The council was convened to discuss whether the monks should continue to wander or settle down in one place. Some of the monks who attended the council were not happy with the decision to settle down and they left the Sangha. This caused a split in the Buddhist community.
