Guru Purnima (गुरु पोर्णिमा) | Image Resource : altikalti.com
During the month of July the auspicious day of Guru Purnima falls on the full moon day. Everyone lives their routine without questioning the purpose of life. The journey of life takes us through all stages of roles. We become anyone and everyone on this journey, but being a devotee will only make oneself complete. The enlightening words of wisdom given by Buddha were carried by his disciples.
Being a student my peace and happiness was in exile due to exhausting workload for past few months on account of preparing for my semester examination. It being the case, I often go on tour with my friends to various places and enjoy the festivals celebrated with great fervor. Festivals make me enthralling and they demonstrate the culture of the place or country. One of the festivals I revere is Guru Purnima (गुरु पूर्णिमा) and I celebrate it every year.
I was very glad to learn from my friends that Guru Purnima is on July 12. Though it was on Saturday and we had college, we celebrated this day with great pomp and glory. We conducted several cultural programs and offered gifts to our teachers. It is to showcase our gratitude to our teachers.
Guru Purnima | Image Resource : aboutfestivalsofindia.com
On July 12, the students of all religions celebrated Guru Purnima to pay tribute to their teachers. Originated as a Hindu and Buddhist festival, it is meant to thank teachers for all the worldly wisdom they impart to you. It is believed that Guru is very active on this day. The word Guru came from Sanskrit, where ‘Gu’ denotes the meaning Darkness and ‘Ru’ denotes remover. Hence, ‘Guru’ means the ‘Darkness Remover’ or ‘Ignorance Remover’.
Guru Shishya Tradition | Image Resource : deshbandhu.co.in
On this day students like me worship and pay their respects to their teachers. Guru Purnima falls on the Full Moon day of the month Ashadh of Hindu Calendar. On the day, we conduct several dramas, dances and other events in our college.
Guru Purnima is not only celebrated in schools and colleges but also all over India, Nepal, China and other Buddhist countries. In India, all the spiritual gurus are worshiped and Vyasa Puja is conducted in all the temples. In many Ashrams and Madams, gifts are offered to pay respect to Vyasa and the cosmic satguru. In several places, feasts are offered and the disciples wash the feet of their gurus.
Buddhists observe eight instructions, which are called the ‘Uposatha’. Usually, people do ‘Vipassana meditation’ on the day of Guru Purnima under the direction of their teachers. ‘Vipassana’ carries the meaning of seeing and perceiving things as they are. The rainy season of ‘Varsha Vassa’ begins on this day. It lasts for three months and during these months from July to September Buddhist monks stay in the temples. During this time they undergo severe spiritual training and meditation.
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