Overview

• Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak, was observed worldwide on May 12, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha.
• In Mumbai, over 10,000 people visited the Global Vipassana Pagoda, where 2,000 practitioners completed a one-day meditation course and pledged to follow the five precepts.
• Political leaders, including PM Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, shared messages emphasizing Buddha’s teachings of peace, non-violence, and compassion.
• Devotees across India and Southeast Asia engaged in prayers, temple visits, meditation, and charitable acts, reflecting on the Buddha’s core teachings.
• The United Nations’ recognition of Vesak as an international observance highlights the universal relevance of Buddha’s message of harmony and mindfulness.