Tuesday, 19 July 2016

19 JUL 2016 GURU PURNIMA

Guru Purnima

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Guru Purnima
Shukracharya and Kacha.jpg
A guru blessing a student
Official nameIndian and Nepalese teacher's day
Observed byHindu devotees/disciples andBuddhists
CelebrationsNational Holiday In India.
Observancesguru puja
DateAshadha Purnima (Shukla paksha, Bright lunar fortnightFull Moon) (June–July)
2015 dateJuly 31
2016 dateJuly 19
Frequencyannual
Guru Purnima is an Indian and Nepalese festival dedicated to spiritual and academic teachers. This festival is traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, to pay their respects to their teachers and express their gratitude. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July) of the Shaka Samvat, as it is known in the Hindu calendar of India and Nepal.[1] This day marks the first peak of the lunar cycle after the peak of the solar cycle.

Observances[edit]

The celebration is marked by ritualistic respect to the guru, Guru Puja. The Guru Principle is said to be a thousand times more active on the day of Gurupurnima than on any other day.[2] The word guru is derived from two words, gu and ru. The Sanskrit root gu means darkness or ignorance, and ru denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore, a guru is one who removes the darkness of our ignorance. Gurus are believed by many to be the most necessary part of life. On this day, disciples offer puja (worship) or pay respect to their guru (spiritual guide). In addition to having religious importance, this festival has great importance for Indian academics and scholars. Indian academics celebrate this day by thanking their teachers as well as remembering past teachers and scholars.
Traditionally the festival is celebrated by Buddhists in honor of the lord Buddha who gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. In the yogic tradition, the day is celebrated as the occasion when Shivabecame the first guru, as he began the transmission of yoga to the Saptarishis.[3] Many Hindus celebrate the day in honor of the great sage Vyasa, who is seen as one of the greatest gurus in ancient Hindu traditions and a symbol of the Guru-shishya tradition. Vyasa was not only believed to have been born on this day, but also to have started writing the Brahma Sutras on ashadha sudha padyami, which ends on this day. Their recitations are a dedication to him, and are organised on this day, which is also known as Vyasa Purnima.[4][5][6] The festival is common to all spiritual traditions in Hinduism, where it is an expression of gratitude toward the teacher by his/her disciple.[7] Hindu ascetics and wandering monks (sanyasis), observe this day by offering puja to their guru, during the Chaturmas, a four-month period during the rainy season, when they choose seclusion and stay at one chosen place; some also give discourses to the local public.[8] Students of Indian classical music and Indian classical dance, which also follow the Guru shishya parampara, celebrate this holy festival around the world.

Hindu legend[edit]

This was the day when Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa – author of the Mahabharata – was born to sage Parashara and a fisherman's daughter Satyavati; thus this day is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima.[5]Veda Vyasa did yeoman service to the cause of Vedic studies by gathering all the Vedic hymns extant during his times, dividing them into four parts based on their use in the rites, characteristics and teaching them to his four chief disciples – Paila, Vaisampayana, Jaimini and Sumantu. It was this dividing and editing that earned him thehonorific "Vyasa" (vyas = to edit, to divide). "He divided the Holy Veda into four, namely Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. The histories and the Puranas are said to be the fifth Veda."

Yogic lore[edit]

In yogic lore, it is said that Guru Purnima was the day that saw Shiva become the Adi Guru, or the first Guru. The story goes that over 15,000 years ago, a yogi[9] appeared in the upper regions of the Himalayas. Nobody knew what his origins were. But his presence was extraordinary, and people gathered. However, he exhibited no signs of life, but for the occasional tears of ecstasy that rolled down his face. People began to drift away, but seven men stayed on. When he opened his eyes, they pleaded with him, wanting to experience whatever was happening to him. He dismissed them, but they persevered. Finally, he gave them a simple preparatory step and closed his eyes again. The seven men began to prepare. Days rolled into weeks, weeks into months, months into years, but the yogi’s attention did not fall upon them again.
After 84 years of sadhana, on the summer solstice that marks the advent of Dakshinayana, the earth’s southern run, the yogi looked at them again. They had become shining receptacles, wonderfully receptive. He could not ignore them anymore. On the very next full moon day, the yogi turned south and sat as a guru to these seven men. Shiva, the Adiyogi (the first yogi) thus became the Adi Guru. Adiyogi expounded these mechanics of life for many years. The seven disciples became celebrated as the Saptarishis and took this knowledge across the world.
Guru Purnima is held sacred in the yogic tradition because the Adiyogi opened up the possibility for a human being to evolve consciously. The seven different aspects of yoga that were put in these seven individuals became the foundation for the seven basic forms of yoga, something that has still endured.

Buddhist history[edit]

The Buddha went from Bodhgaya to Sarnath about 5 weeks after his enlightenment. Before Gautama (the Buddha-to-be) attained enlightenment, he gave up his austere penances and his friends, the Pañcavaggiya monks, left him and went to Isipatana (Sarnath). After attaining Enlightenment the Buddha, leaving Uruvela, travelled to the Isipatana to join and teach them. He went to them because, using his spiritual powers, he had seen that his five former companions would be able to understand Dharma quickly. While travelling to Sarnath, Gautama Buddha had to cross the Ganges. When King Bimbisara heard of this, he abolished the toll for ascetics. When Gautama Buddha found his five former companions, he taught them, they understood and as a result they also became enlightened. At that time the Sangha, the community of the enlightened ones, was founded. The sermon Buddha gave to the five monks was his first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. It was given on the full-moon day of Asadha. Buddha subsequently also spent his firstrainy season i.e. Varsha vassa at Sarnath at the Mulagandhakuti. The Sangha had grown to 60 in number (after Yasa and his friends had become monks), and Buddha sent them out in all directions to travel alone and teach the Dharma. All 60 monks were Arahants.

Observances by Buddhists and Hindus[edit]

Buddhists observe on this day uposatha i.e. to observe eight precepts. Vipassana meditators practice meditation on this day under the guidance of their teachers. Rainy season i.e. varsha vassa also starts with this day. During the rainy season lasting for three lunar months from July to October. During this time Buddhist monks remain in a single place, generally in their temples. In some monasteries, monks dedicate the Vassa to intensive meditation. During Vassa, many Buddhist lay people reinvigorate their spiritual training and adopt more ascetic practices, such as giving up meat, alcohol, or smoking.
A sanyasi performing Vyasa pujatraditionally held on Guru Purnima day, as a part of Chaturmas rituals
The Hindu spiritual Gurus are revered on this day by a remembering their life and teachings. Vyasa Puja is held at various temples, where floral offerings and symbolic gifts are given away in his honour and that of the cosmicsatguru. The festivities are usually followed by feast for the disciples, shishya, where the prasad and charnamrita literally nectar of the feet, the symbolic wash of Guru's feet, which represents his grace, kripa is distributed.[10] As a day of remembrance towards all gurus, through whom God grants the grace of knowledge (Jnana) to the disciples,[10] special recitations of the Hindu scriptures especially, the Guru Gita, a 216 verse ode to Guru, authored by the sage, Vyasa himself, are held all day; apart from singing of bhajans, hymns and organising of special kirtan session and havan at many places, where devotees from all over gather at the ashrams, matha or place where the seat of Guru, Guru Gaddi exists.[11] This day also sees the ritual of padapuja, the worships of Guru's sandals, which represent his holy feet and is seen a way of rededicating to all that a Guru stands for.[12] Disciples also recommit themselves on this day, towards following their teacher's guidance and teachings, for the coming year.[10] A mantra that is particularly used on this day is "Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwara, Guru Sakshat Parabrahmah Tasmai Shree Guru Veh Namah". This day is also seen as an occasion when fellow devotees, Guru Bhai (disciple-brother), express their solidarity to one another in their spiritual journey.[13]

Observations in Nepal[edit]

In Nepal, Guru Purnima is a big day in schools. This day is teacher's day for Nepalese ; mostly Students. Students honor their teachers by offering delicacies, garlands, and special hats called topi made with indigenous fabric. Students often organize fanfares in schools to appreciate the hard work done by teachers. This is taken as a great opportunity to consolidate the bond of teacher-student relationships.

Tradition in Indian academics[edit]

Irrespective of their religions, Indian academics celebrate this day by thanking their teachers. Many schools, colleges and universities have events in which students thank their teachers and remember past scholars. Alumni visit their teachers and present gifts as a gesture of gratitude.

Jainism[edit]

According to Jain traditions, it was on this day, falling at the beginning of CHAUMASAAS" , the four month rainy season retreat, Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, after attaining Kaivalya, made Indrabhuti Gautam, later known as Gautam Swami, a Ganadhara, his first disciple, thus becoming a Guru himself, therefore it is observed in Jainism as Guru Purnima, and is marked special veneration to one's Gurus and teachers.[14]

Guru Purnima 2016: Guru Is The Godly Truth

This year Guru Purnima will be celebrated on July 19. Guru is like that cosmic energy who stays within us and directs us to the right path with his modest teachings. Guru Purnima depicts paying homage to our saintly Gurus. Read below to know more about Guru Purnima, which is also known as Vyasa Purnima.

Guru Purnima 2016: What Is Guru Purnima?

Presenting Guru Purnima 2016
Guru Purnima is dedicated to the great teachers and mentors who build up our future. Guru or a teacher is someone who acts like a guide in our lives directing us to the right path for our betterment. Therefore, it is a fine way of paying the homage to them through the day of Guru Purnima.
According to Hindu Vedic evidences, Guru Purnima is celebrated on the birth of Ved Vyas. Ved Vyas is referred as one of the greatest Gurus in Indian Philosophy. He symbolizes the Guru-Shishya (teacher-student) tradition. It is also believed that he completed the Brahma Sutras on the day of Guru Purnima.
Buddhists also celebrate Guru Purnima. They believe that Lord Buddha (also known as Siddhartha Gautama Buddha) delivered his first sermon on this day. The day of Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima.
Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima is celebrated on Purnima or Full Moon day of the month of Ashadha, as per the Hindu Calendar.
All of you have had teachers. Some of them were great while some of them even greater. It’s the time to pay gratitude to them on Guru Purnima in 2016. Let’s take a look at some of the legends of Guru Purnima that would give you a better understanding of the Guru-Shishya tradition.

Legends Of Guru Purnima

Since Guru Purnima is not only limited to Hindus, the festival has a number of legends associated with it. Let’s take a look at them:
Ved Vyasa & Guru Purnima
Krishna Dwaipayana was born on this day. His service to Vedas has been commendable. He was later named Ved Vyasa because he edited and divided the Vedas into four parts - Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda, and Sama Veda. It is believed that Ved Vyasa completed the four Vedas on the day of Guru Purnima.
Ved Vyasa also wrote and compiled the epic Mahabharata. His contribution to the scholarly principles of the Hindu Vedas had earned him the stature of being a Guru or teacher.
Gautama Buddha & Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima 2016 or Vyasa Purnima 2016 celebrates Buddha’s first teaching
Gautama Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama. He sacrificed all the worldly pleasures in the search of enlightenment. He delivered his first speech at Sarnath, a month later after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya.
On his way from Bodhgaya to Sarnath, Gautama Buddha was penniless and had to pass the Ganges river through air. His teaching capability was unquestionable, as he passed his enlightenment to his disciples without being biased of self-worthiness. When he met five companions at Sarnath, he taught them the principles of enlightenment. This helped them to attain enlightenment as well. His disciples came to be known as Sanghas or companions. This happened on Purnima (Full Moon) of Ashada month. Thus, according to Buddhism, Guru Purnima is celebrated to commemorate Buddha’s teachings.
Soon, the Sanghas grew in number. They went to multiple directions of the world to propagate the teachings of enlightenment. Later on, this process came to be known as Buddhism.
Jainism & Guru Purnima
Jains will celebrate Guru Purnima in 2016 as a special chapter contributed by Mahavira Tirthankara.
According to Jain texts, Tirthankara Mahavira (24th) accepted his first disciple Indrabhuti Gautam. From then on, he came to be known as Guru or a teacher. It falls on Chaumasa or the four month rainy season. This is the reason that the Jains celebrate Guru Purnima.
As the festival of Guru Purnima has more than one reason for celebrating it, the procedures to celebrate the day may also differ. Let’s take a look at how Guru Purnima in 2016 should be celebrated.

How Is Guru Purnima Celebrated?

Let’s categorize the celebration of Guru Purnima into three religious patterns:
Buddhism & Guru Purnima
How are the Buddhists going to celebrate Guru Purnima in 2016? Let’s take a look at the celebrating pattern of Guru Purnima by the Buddhists.
Buddhist devotees follow the day of Guru Purnima through different ascetic practices. Under the guidance of a teacher, people also practice meditation on this day. This also marks the commencement of the rainy season.
The Buddhist monks dedicate themselves completely to spiritual practices on Guru Purnima and remain in a fixed place in their temples. Many of them observe more orthodox practices by abandoning meat, alcohol, etc. This all are done according to the principle of Uposatha - eight rules of Buddhism.
Now, let’s take a look at the celebrating pattern of the Hindus.
Hinduism & Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima is considered as an important Thanksgiving day for the Hindus. Before proceeding forward, let’s know the rituals to celebrate Guru Purnima in 2016.
Vyasa Puja is the foremost pattern of celebrating Guru Purnima by the Hindus. Vyasa Puja takes place in various temples, which are decorated as symbols of festivity and traditions. A feast for the disciples is held. Following this, the Charanamrita (sweet curd with dry fruits used in religious rituals) is distributed among the disciples along with Prasada (holy food).
On this day, Guru Gita is read along with other recitations from Hindu scriptures. Padapuja is also held where slippers (Khadaga) of the teacher are worshiped. It symbolizes to contain the feet-dust of the teachers obtained through thorough experiences in life. A special Mantra is chanted on Guru Purnima:

Sri Guru Mantra

गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः।
गुरुर्साक्षात्‍ परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवेनमः॥
Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwara | 
Guru Sakshat Parbrahman Tasmai Shri Guru Veh Namah ||
Meaning
Guru is Brahma, also He is Vishnu, Lord Guru is Maheshwara too |
Guru is the manifestation of that supreme cosmic power, I bow to the holy Guru ||
This Mantra embodies the soul i.e. a teacher is everything and hence, universal.
Guru plays multi-dimensional roles in our lives and ultimately takes us to the path enlightenment. Now, let’s discuss the significance of a teacher or Guru in our lives.

Significance Of Guru

In a way, Guru is a godly ambassador who is just next to God. God is expected to induce the qualities of benevolence, humanity, discipline, spirituality and much more into us. Guru is expected to have the same qualities. But, in a way, Guru is more true than God. We cannot see God, but Guru is always be there by us to direct us to the right path in life.
From hermitages to universities, teacher-disciple relationship might have traveled a long path, but this tradition has hardly changed. A student always expects the teacher to guide him to the right direction and help him achieve success. And with all his saintly qualities, a Guru always fulfills the expectations of the student.
This is our turn to express our gratitude to our teachers or Gurus on Guru Purnima 2016.
Since it is the year 2016, people no more expect a student like Eklavya who would cut his finger for his Guru. But there are ways to express our thankfulness to our Gurus or guides on Guru Purnima in 2016.
No Indian festival can end without the festivity of food delicacies. Similarly, Guru Purnima in 2016 is celebrated in a similar festive mood. Let’s take a look at the food delicacies of Guru Purnima in 2016.

Food Delicacies Of Guru Purnima 2016

Following are the food items that add more flavor to the festive happening of Guru Purnima in 2016:
Main Course Delicacies Of Guru Purnima 2016
  • Halwa
  • Poori
  • Khichdi
  • Gatte Ki Sabji
  • Moong Daal Ki Poori
  • Poha
  • Aloo Chhole
After having a taste of the mouth watering dishes, one would surely need some sweet items on Guru Purnima in 2016. Let’s take a look at the sweet delicacies of Guru Purnima in 2016:
Sweet Delicacies Of Guru Purnima In 2016
  • Almond Poori
  • Laddoo
  • Kaju Barfi
  • Pista Barfi
  • Soan Papdi
  • Gulab Jamun
On Guru Purnima in 2016, you can send Guru Purnima SMS to your Gurus. This will make them feel remembered on Guru Purnima in 2016. Students can also stage plays that relate with the significance of Guru-Shishya tradition in 2016. The thing that is more important is to recognize their value in your lives.
Be it the year of 1920 or 2016, a Guru will always be there in our lives. He will always be by us to guide us. In short, Guru is the godly truth. Don’t lose the chance to repay a tribute to your Gurus on Guru Purnima in 2016.
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