May 5: Buddha Jayanti, the 2567th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, is being observed across the country by commemorating Lord Buddha’s contributions to the establishment of world peace.    
Buddha, regarded as the ninth incarnation of Lord Bishnu, was born on the full moon day in the Nepali month of Baisakh as per the lunar calendar. Coincidentally, the day Buddha was born, attained wisdom and Mahaparinirvan (passing away) fall on the same day.

The Buddhist communities in the world including Nepal observe this day with much reverence.    
The birth anniversary of Buddha, the apostle of non-violence and peace, is being observed with spiritual leaders and gurus at monasteries. The government has appealed to all people to observe the Buddha Jayanti with illumination at homes.    
Grand programmes are being held at Lumbini, Swayambhu, and Bauddha on Buddha Jayanti.    
Buddha, who born in the royal family of King Suddhodhan and Queen Mayadevi, left his palace at the age of 29 for penance. He attained enlightenment at the age of 36 and went on teaching non-violence until he was 80. Buddha is also regarded as the 'Light of Asia'.    
Buddhist philosophy is taught in internationally-acclaimed universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard. There are also MA level programmes on Buddhist philosophy at Tribhuvan University, Nepal Sanskrit University, Lumbini Bauddha University in Nepal.    
The teaching and sermons given by Lord Buddha during his lifetime of 80 years are documented in 'binaya', 'sutta', 'abhidhamma' and 'tripitak'. -- RSS