Acts of compassion to mark Buddha Purnima

This year, Buddha Purnima falls amid the lockdown, and many followers of Buddhism have decided to dedicate the day in helping the needy.

“My friends and I have bought dry rations to be distributed to the needy today. We feel it’s the best way to celebrate this festival. Help is what is truly needed right now,” says Akshita Sahai, a DU student.

A number of city dwellers have also planned a special treat for strays in their area. Arnab Halder, a teaching assistant at an NGO says, “I love to meditate and chant, but this Buddha Purnima, I’m cooking special treats for stray dogs in my colony.”

Keeping up with the culture of social distancing, meditation sessions have shifted online and there are prayers scheduled for wellbeing of the world.

“We can’t go and pray at our monastery. That’s why I’ll be connecting with my Buddhist teacher on video call for a meditation session,” says Anamika Shrivatsav, a student of a Noida-based university.

Monasteries in Delhi have planned to light lamps and and pray for the pandemic to end. “There will be vast lamp lighting with prayers for the entire world during these challenging times. We will pray for peace and well-being to prevail,” says Thinlay Namgyal, office secretary of Karmapa International Buddhist Society.