Guru Purnima is being celebrated on Monday (July 3) and offers a chance for those of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu faith to honour their teachers, gurus and mentors.
The occasion is primarily celebrated in countries and areas where these beliefs are most practised, such as India, Nepal and Bhutan.
It is also known as Teacher’s Day and is the birthday of Vyasa - an important figure in Hindu religion who was known for imparting his wisdom.
The name came from ‘Guru’ meaning a remover of darkness and ‘Purnima’ refers to the full moon night on which it falls. Teachers were considered people, consequently, who dispelled darkness from the lives of their students.
The Guru can be your breath, your heartbeat, or your Liberation. Whatever choice you make, I am with You. #GuruPurnima #SadhguruQuotes pic.twitter.com/PToVRjsT6f
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) July 3, 2023
These days, teachers can be considered anyone from a religious elder to a school professor, a parent, or even an elder sibling.
Guru Purnima is celebrated during Ashadha in the Hindu calendar, which is usually June or July, and in 2023, it falls on Monday, July 3 on the Western calendar.
By tradition, followers of the faiths will hold puja rituals - a religious routine - and fast during the day, before holding a celebration in the evening.
The Indian Express wrote: “The custom of Guru Purnima holds a teacher high enough to remove ignorance from the student’s life, transcending him to a higher dimension.
“Therefore, it is also a celebration of the knowledge and wisdom that a teacher has and imparts. It further encourages the sharing of knowledge as the only method of attaining transcendence.”
Taking this day to thankfully remember each and everyone who has thought me valuable lessons in life #GuruPurnima pic.twitter.com/6Ux1FzWovW
— Anil K Antony (@anilkantony) July 3, 2023
On social media, followers of the tradition paid tribute to some of the teachers in their own lives.
Sadhguru wrote: “The Guru can be your breath, your heartbeat, or your Liberation. Whatever choice you make, I am with You. #GuruPurnima.”
Anil K Antony said: “Taking this day to thankfully remember each and every one who has thought me valuable lessons in life #GuruPurnima.”
