Vaishakh Purnima, the most important day in the Buddhist calendar, was observed on Monday across the city. Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born, attained enlightenment, and died on the day, the full moon night of the Vaisakh month. The day is called Vesak in many Buddhist countries.
Over 10,000 people visited the Global Vipassana Pagoda at Gorai. The centre organised a one-day meditation course for over 2000 practitioners of Vipassana meditation. "It was a meditation gathering. We wish peace and hope to everyone," said Lokesh Goenka, trustee of Global Vipassana Foundation and Vipassana Research Institute of Meditation at Global Vipassana Pagoda, Mumbai.
Followers visited the Buddha viharas across the city. Bhante Prashil Gautam, a monk at the Triratna Buddha Vihar, Ghatkopar, said the day is a propitious period. Devotees pledged to uphold the five precepts of not killing, abstaining from intoxicants, refraining from stealing, and not indulging in sexual misconduct. "Buddha was born as Siddhartha in Lumbini on this day. It is the day when he received enlightenment and became the Buddha at Bodhgaya. It was also Mahaparinirvan's day when he passed away in Kushinagar," said Gautam.
Over 5000 devotees, including residents and foreign visitors, prayed at Worli at the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist temple. Established in 1956 by Nichidatsu Fuji, a Japanese Buddhist monk who followed Mahatma Gandhi's ideas. Ranjit More, a volunteer at the temple, said that the temple had devotees coming in till late into the evening.
Gautam said that Buddha's humanist message was as relevant today as it was over two and a half millennia ago when he lived. "Buddhists believe in the four brahma viharas - love, equanimity, kindness, and joy. Buddha spoke against hatred and preached love and compassion. These principles are needed today," said Gautam.
Hindus observed the day as Bhrigu Jayanti in honour of sage Bhrigu, one of the saptarishis and the author of a treatise on astrology.
