Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima is the most sacred day in Buddhism, for it is believed that three of the most important events in the Buddha's life occurred on the same full moon day: his birth as Prince Siddhartha Gautama, his attainment of enlightenment (Nirvana) under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, and his death (Parinirvana) at Kushinagar. Siddhartha was a prince who left his palace at 29, distressed by the suffering he saw. After years of austerity and meditation, he attained perfect enlightenment at 35.