Murmu, Modi extend Buddha Purnima greetings, invoke peace and harmony
Synopsis
On Buddha Purnima 2025, both President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi took to social media to invoke Lord Buddha's teachings of peace and compassion — a message that carries particular weight as the world navigates rising geopolitical tensions and social discord.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi extended greetings on Buddha Purnima on 1 May 2025 .
Both leaders invoked Lord Buddha's teachings of compassion, non-violence, peace, and knowledge as a guide for humanity.
Buddha Purnima commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama , all believed to have occurred on the same full moon day.
Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, Nepal around the 6th century BCE and attained Parinirvana at age 80 in Kushinagar .
The festival falls on the Purnima of the Vaisakha month, typically in April or May .
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 1 May extended greetings on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, invoking the teachings of Lord Buddha on compassion, non-violence, peace, and knowledge as guiding principles for humanity in troubled times.
President Murmu's Message
Taking to social media platform X, President Murmu said, "On the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all citizens and to the followers of Bhagwan Buddha across the world."
She added, "This sacred day marks the epoch-making events of Bhagwan Buddha's advent on the earth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana. His eternal messages of compassion, non-violence, peace and knowledge will continue to guide the entire humanity." President Murmu noted that "in today's world which is facing numerous challenges, the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha inspire us to tread on the path of peace, tolerance and mutual harmony."
She concluded her message with a call to action: "On this auspicious occasion, let us resolve to imbibe his ideals and contribute to building a peaceful, inclusive and just society."
PM Modi's Greetings
Prime Minister Modi posted two separate messages on the occasion. In the first, he said, "Best wishes on Buddha Purnima. Our commitment towards realising the ideals of Lord Buddha is very strong. May his thoughts deepen the spirit of joy and togetherness in our society."
In a second post, Modi wrote, "Warmest wishes to all fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima. On this sacred day — which inspires us to walk the path of peace, compassion, and harmony — let us reaffirm our resolve to embrace the values embodied in the life of Lord Buddha."
Significance of Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is among the most revered festivals in Buddhism, commemorating three pivotal events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama — his birth, enlightenment, and death — all believed to have occurred on the same full moon day. The festival falls on the Purnima (full moon) of the Vaisakha month in the Hindu calendar, typically in April or May.
Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, now in Nepal, around the 6th century BCE. He attained enlightenment — Nirvana — while meditating under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, and later attained Parinirvana, his final passing, at the age of 80 in Kushinagar.
The Core Teachings Remembered
On this day, Buddhists across the world reflect on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path — the philosophical cornerstones of Buddhist practice. The occasion serves as a reminder of the Buddha's message of peace, compassion, and the cessation of suffering, values that both the President and the Prime Minister underscored in their respective addresses.
As geopolitical tensions and social discord continue to mark the global landscape in 2025, the greetings from India's top constitutional offices carry added resonance, reaffirming the country's civilisational ties to the Buddhist tradition.
Point of View
Invoking Buddhist ideals of non-violence is also a subtle piece of foreign-policy signalling. India's Buddhist heritage — from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath to Kushinagar — is increasingly part of its soft-power architecture, and these annual greetings are one of the quieter instruments of that strategy.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Buddha Purnima and why is it celebrated?
Buddha Purnima is one of the most sacred festivals in Buddhism, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha — all believed to have occurred on the same full moon day of the Vaisakha month. It is observed by millions of Buddhists worldwide as a day of reflection on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
What did President Droupadi Murmu say on Buddha Purnima 2025?
President Murmu extended greetings to all citizens and followers of Bhagwan Buddha globally, emphasising that his teachings of compassion, non-violence, peace, and knowledge will continue to guide humanity. She called on people to resolve to build a peaceful, inclusive, and just society.
What did PM Narendra Modi post on Buddha Purnima?
PM Modi posted two messages, reaffirming India's commitment to the ideals of Lord Buddha and urging citizens to embrace values of peace, compassion, and harmony embodied in Buddha's life.
Where was Lord Buddha born and where did he attain enlightenment?
Lord Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini, now in Nepal, around the 6th century BCE. He attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, and attained Parinirvana at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India.
When does Buddha Purnima fall in 2025?
In 2025, Buddha Purnima falls on 1 May, corresponding to the full moon day of the Vaisakha month in the Hindu calendar.
