2553rd Buddha Jayanti observed

The 2553rd Buddha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the apostle of peace, was observed Saturday by organizing various programmes with the message of peace and harmony among people.

International Baudha Study Centre, Buddha Jayanti Samaroha Samiti and United Nations (UN) jointly organized a programme in the capital on Saturday to mark the occasion.

At the programme Buddhist gurus and UN diplomats discussed Buddha’s teachings and how it can liberate human beings from the misery and sufferings of life.

They also said that Buddha’s teachings can help resolve today’s problems like climate change, financial crisis, pandemics, terrorism and other international threat.

Venerable Pragya Ratna, a Buddhist guru, said that Buddha was the one who first spread the message of peace and how one could achieve it by “cleansing soul, speech and action.”

A message urging for global solidarity to combat today’s problems sent by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was also read out at the function

“I constantly remind leaders that we must act together or we will fail individually,” said Ban in the message delivered on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti. “I tell them that we must join forces in solidarity. Not only is this the right thing to do; it is in our best interests.” Ban also suggested all to carry on the spirit of Buddha’s teachings

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

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, observes Buddha Jayanti with respect and devotion to Buddha.

With the realization 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. nepalnews.com May 09 09